The H.I.T. Programme (High Potential University Leaders Identity & Skills Training Programme – Inclusive Leadership in Academia) is a unique support programme for female professors at all Swiss universities who wish to take on institutional leadership roles. It combines leadership training with personal coaching and networking sessions at various locations across Switzerland.

The H.I.T. Programme was launched in 2019 as a collaborative project between the gender equality offices of all Swiss universities and as part of the ‘P-7 Equal Opportunities and University Development 2017–2020’ programme by swissuniversities (see news item of 5 February 2020). Following successful runs from 2019 to 2024, it was institutionally established at the Centre for Higher Education and Science Studies (CHESS) at the University of Zurich.

The selection criteria for the approximately 25 spots available take into account the applicant’s leadership experience, her motivation to take on leadership roles within her institution, the under-representation of women in certain academic fields, and the need to improve the visibility of female leaders within faculties, departments or educational institutions.

Since the launch of the H.I.T. Programme in 2019, a female professor from the University of Lucerne has taken part every year. For the 2026 cohort, two female professors from the University of Lucerne have been selected to participate simultaneously for the first time. Read the news article.

Female professors at the University of Lucerne who are interested can contact the Office of Equal Opportunity for information about the Leadership Programme.

Contact: Fleur Weibel, fleur.weibel@unilu.ch