OCL Programme
Oxford Cultural Leaders (OCL) is an intensive and immersive week long programme. It is designed to be challenging and provocative, but developmental and supportive. It disrupts how participants think, working on conceptual, contextual, organisational and personal levels. The programme is delivered through lectures, keynote speeches and facilitated workshops which re-examine and challenge participants’ approaches to leadership.
2024 Online Programme Curriculum
Please note that the course content and schedule is subject to change.
The online programme will be delivered in a virtual format designed to deliver an engaging and interactive experience using a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, group breakouts, interactive workshops and learning tasks with the same OCL faculty who support the residential programme.
Module 1: Starting the journey (pre-programme)
Keynote: key reading
Module 2: Looking in the Mirror
Welcome to OCL
Workshop: Conscious leadership
Active Learning: Self-reflection session
Keynote: leadership journeys
Module 3: Leading through Change and Complexity
Keynote and panel: What do we mean by brave leadership?
Workshop: Managing multiplicity
Active Learning: Reflective leadership practice model
Module 4: Risk, Decisions and the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Panel discussion: Decision making in leadership
Active Learning: Innovation sprint
Reflection session
Module 5: Leadership Presence and Impact
Workshop: Leadership presence
Active learning: Leadership body and mind
Keynote: Leadership learnings
Module 6: Looking Outward and Facing the World
Workshop: Inspirational leadership
Closing remarks: Embracing the challenge of leadership in uncompromising times
My leadership journey
Module 7: Continuing the Journey (post-programme)
Core reading
Introduction to alumni network
2024 Residential Programme Curriculum
Please note that the course content and schedule is subject to change.
The residential programme includes a mix of immersive workshops, lectures, panel discussions, provocations, reflection sessions and keynote speeches, delivered by cultural sector leaders, business school experts and industry authorities. Social events form an integral part of the programme such as visits to cultural attractions, college dinners and networking events.
Module 1: Introduction to OCL
Welcome and introduction
Keynote: Stepping into the week
Reflection session
Module 2: Looking in the Mirror
Keynote: Building a courageous organisation
Workshop: Beyond Doubt
Active Learning: Relational Leadership: self
Reflection session
Module 3: Contextualising the challenges
Keynote: The Importance of Knowledge
Panel discussion: Leadership challenges within the current context
Keynote and panel: What do we mean by brave leadership?
Active Learning: Reframing purpose through socially
Reflection session
Module 4: Organisational Change and Transformational Leadership
Keynote: Creating an organisational culture of risk
Workshop: Balancing the challenges of leading in the present and the future - Part 1
Active Learning: Relational Leadership: team
Reflection session
Module 5: Organisational Change and the Entrepreneurial Mind-set
Panel discussion: Entrepreneurial Leadership
Workshop: Balancing the challenges of leading in the present and the future - Part 2
Active learning: Innovation Sprint
Reflection session
Module 6: Leading Against the Grain
Keynote: The Architecture of Leadership
Active learning: Innovation Sprint - final panel and discussion
Life Beyond OCL
Reflection session
Module 7: Themed discussion groups and networking
Module 8: Looking outward and facing the world
Active learning: Inspirational Leadership
Closing Keynote: Embracing the challenge of leadership in uncompromising times
Wrap up - closing thoughts
Please note that the above programmes represent a selection from the overall Oxford Cultural Leaders programmes and are subject to change. For further information please contact the Programme Coordinator, Emma Thomas at ocl@glam.ox.ac.uk
Alumni Case Studies
Oxford Cultural Leaders (OCL) alumni provide their reflections on the programme, noting their personal highlights and key moments: