Inclusive Academic Leadership: An H.I.T. 2026 Meeting in Lugano focused on Inclusive Leadership in Academia

On June 1, 2026, a meeting dedicated to the topic of Inclusive Academic Leadership was held at the Hotel Lugano Dante. The event was organized as part of the activities of the national H.I.T. 2026 program High Potential University Leaders Identity & Skills Training Programme: Inclusive Leadership in Academia – in collaboration with USI’s Equal Opportunities Office.

The event brought together participants in the H.I.T. 2026 programme - female professors from various Swiss universities along with several USI H.I.T. alumnae and female professors. The morning provided an important opportunity for discussion, networking, and the exchange of experiences regarding the challenges and opportunities of contemporary academic leadership.

The highlight of the event was the keynote address by Prof. Heather Hofmeister of Goethe University Frankfurt, focused on the theme "Inclusive Academic Leadership: where we came from, where we are headed”. The interactive session offered numerous insights into the role of inclusive leadership in university settings, with a particular emphasis on the ability to create more equitable and participatory academic environments that promote diverse career paths.

Through examples, questions, and moments of dialogue with the audience, the presentation invited participants to reflect not only on the individual skills needed to assume leadership roles but also on the institutional conditions that make truly transformative leadership possible. Inclusive leadership thus emerged as a daily practice, grounded in listening, sharing responsibilities, recognizing talents, and building environments where people with diverse experiences and backgrounds can fully contribute to academic life.
The subsequent standing lunch allowed the dialogue to continue in an informal setting, fostering new connections among H.I.T. participants, alumnae, and USI representatives. It was precisely this dimension of exchange that proved to be one of the most significant elements of the meeting: moments like these allow for the sharing of diverse experiences, perspectives, and practices, contributing to the building of solid and lasting professional networks.

The meeting is part of the objectives of the H.I.T. Program, a national cooperation programme, which combines advanced training, individual coaching, networking, and peer discussion to support the development of leadership skills among female professors at Swiss universities. In this context, the Lugano event provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on institutional change and the role that leadership can play in promoting more inclusive academic cultures.

In a constantly evolving university context, initiatives like this confirm the importance of investing in leadership capable of combining academic excellence, equity, and participation. Reflection on inclusion concerns not only access to opportunities, but also the way in which institutions build relationships, make decisions, and envision their future.