Last week, the Fellowship Class of 2027 travelled to Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford for four days of learning, reflection and relationship-building.
The Oxford residential is one of the defining moments of the seven-month Fellowship journey. Away from the demands of everyday working life, it gives Fellows the opportunity to explore leadership from different perspectives, challenge their own assumptions and, importantly, get to know one another.
Across four packed days, the cohort heard from leading academics, practitioners and public figures, exploring everything from systems thinking and public life to place leadership and neuroscience.
Day 1
The residential began with Saul Betmead de Chasteigner, Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, who challenged Fellows to think about leadership, creativity and how we approach complex environments.
Later, Daniel Greenberg CB, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, explored the seven Nolan Principles of Public Life, prompting discussion around integrity and the responsibilities that come with leadership.
Day 2
Professor Harvey Maylor led the second day with an introduction to systems thinking and its application to major projects. Fellows explored how looking beyond individual problems to the wider system can help leaders better understand complexity and identify opportunities for change.
In the afternoon, Agnieszka Butter from the University of Edinburgh led Your Brain at Work, exploring the science behind performing at our best. The day finished with a chance to experience Oxford through a guided walking tour and punting.
Day 3
Thursday began with Professor Joanne Murphy exploring Place Leadership and what it means to lead within complex and contested environments.
Jennie McShannon then introduced Fellows to group dynamics before Professor Harvey Maylor led an extended workshop on Seeing the System: Finding Leverage for Social Change, giving Fellows the opportunity to apply systems thinking to real-world challenges and being their group projects.
Day 4
The final morning began with Lord William Hague, Chancellor of the University of Oxford, for a conversation on Leadership in a Changing World, drawing on his experience in government, international affairs and public life.
Professor Ciaran Martin, founding CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, then explored Security in the Digital Age, including the changing landscape of technology, AI and cyber security. The residential concluded with a final session bringing together the learning and reflections from across the week.
A huge thank you to all of our speakers and facilitators, the team at Harris Manchester College for looking after us so well, and our Fellows for the energy, openness and enthusiasm they brought to the residential.
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