Alex Baird and Ellis and Lou Beardsmore
Session summary
This session will highlight the significance of LGBTQ+ leadership development programmes. It will provide insights into these programmes and their outcomes for attendees and their respective institutions. The presentation will discuss how the community of LGBTQ+ attendees reframed concepts of leadership during their time together. Additionally, an overview of follow-up research will be shared, which acknowledges both the longitudinal and curvilinear outcomes for attendees. The research has enabled participants to co-create the design of the programme for 2025-26. The session will encourage audience engagement through creative methods, such as the ‘Rainbow Tree of Life’ and ‘narrative writing’ workshops planned for the LGBTQ+ Leadership Development Programme in 2025-26. The presenters will explain how these creative approaches aim to amplify LGBTQ+ voices, enhance attendees' self-awareness (an essential component of leadership), and offer new outlets for self-expression. They intend to publish the findings and exhibit anonymised art and writing within the local community. Through this dissemination, they hope to inspire LGBTQ+ leaders, engage allies, secure funding, and guide the development of future LGBTQ+ leadership programmes.
১:১৫ PM
২৪ অক্টোবর, ২০২৫
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Biography
Dr Alex Baird
Alex is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Physical Education at the University of Bedfordshire. Alex is the vice chair of the LGBTQ+ staff network and they have also been involved in the leadership of EDI actions across and beyond the university. Alex’s EdD thesis research accessed a rare LGBTQ+ Leadership Development programme that was run at one UK university. They have published in peer review journals are currently co-authoring a book LGBTQ+ Educators: Leaders in Every Role. Prior to working in higher education, Alex taught for 13 years in primary and secondary education.
Ellis and Lou Beardsmore
Ellis and Lou are co-founders of Proud Futures, an award-winning social enterprise specialising in LGBTQ+ leadership, training, and wellbeing. With extensive experience across charity leadership, international development, and EDI practice, they’ve partnered with over 200+ organisations to build inclusive cultures where LGBTQ+ people lead and flourish. They developed Scotland’s first LGBTQ+ Leadership and Changemaker Programme and will host Leading with Pride, Scotland's LGBTQ+ Leadership Conference on 13th November in Glasgow this year.
