Peer-Led Leadership, Mentoring and Promotion: Conversations Among Female Academics from South Africa, Ghana and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Here, we report a one-day, cross-cultural, peer-led workshop at the University of Stellenbosch, facilitated by academics from South Africa, Ghana and the United Kingdom. The focus was on leadership, mentoring and promotion. Using short, structured activities alongside small-group discussion, the participants were encouraged to reflect on leadership, mentoring and the perceived gap between being "ready" and being "recognised" for promotion. Descriptive survey findings and free-text reflections highlight the demand for structured peer support, reciprocal mentoring opportunities, and clearer, more transparent promotion processes. Following the event, we performed a structured review of the impact. This highlighted that the workshop participants reported that the event allowed for greater self-awareness into their own leadership approaches, a stronger commitment to purposeful mentoring, and greater confidence and renewed motivation to take concrete steps towards promotion.