HELEX - Higher Education Leadership Exchange

Ethos is pleased to introduce HELEX  - the Higher Education Leadership Exchange  program, a new initiative designed specifically for leaders in higher education and research.

Our current cohorts include senior higher education leaders from universities in Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia

HELEX is not a training program. Rather, it is an opportunity to join a small, trusted group of peers at a comparable level of leadership, to engage in open and authentic conversations about current and emerging challenges faced by the participants.

The inspiration for HELEX comes from a story that dates back to 1928. At Cambridge’s famed Cavendish Laboratory, nuclear physicist Reg Revans met weekly with a group that included eight future Nobel laureates. Their goal was not to impress one another, but to grapple honestly with their most difficult problems. As Revans later reflected, their intent was simply “to see if we can understand our own difficulties.”

What distinguished these meetings was not the participants’ stature, but their willingness to share struggles openly and learn through collective reflection. This approach later became known as action learning — where peers come together to explore challenges, generate insights, and translate ideas into practical action.

HELEX builds on this same principle.

Program Overview

Grounded in the principles of action learning, HELEX brings together small groups of four to five higher education leaders for constructive, confidential dialogue.

Each group meets virtually for five two-hour sessions, spaced six to eight weeks apart.
Discussions are guided by a facilitator and focus on real leadership challenges introduced by participants. Peers contribute perspectives, insights, and questions to foster reflection and progress.

Benefits

Participants can expect:

• Fresh insights arising from diverse perspectives.
• The freedom to speak candidly in a safe, confidential setting.
• The opportunity to build relationships across institutions.
• Deeper understanding through discussing the real challenges faced by peers.

HELEX Leadership Architecture

A three‑tier structure designed to bring together leaders at comparable levels of responsibility across universities and, in many cases, across national systems. Each tier offers a confidential, curated space for reflection, strategic insight, and peer connection — with the power of cross‑institutional diversity at its core.

 1. HELEX Executive Leaders

A confidential space for whole‑of‑university leaders to think boldly together.

The HELEX Executive Leaders tier brings together senior university executives in a trusted, confidential environment. With participants drawn from different universities and countries, this tier offers rare strategic perspective: a place to test ideas, compare approaches, and reflect with peers who understand the complexity of whole‑of‑institution leadership. Members gain clarity, fresh thinking and the reassurance of a peer group operating at the same altitude.

 2. HELEX Portfolio Leaders

Where senior academic leaders sharpen strategy, share practice and strengthen their leadership

 The HELEX Portfolio Leaders tier connects Deans, PVCs and those with a comparable level of responsibility from a range of universities and countries, creating a rich environment for comparative insight. Members explore different faculty models, research strategies and leadership approaches, gaining practical ideas and strategic clarity. The tier offers a trusted space to reflect, recalibrate and grow alongside peers who understand the demands of portfolio‑level leadership.

 3. HELEX Domain Leaders

A supportive community for leaders shaping culture, performance and academic practice.

The HELEX Domain Leaders tier brings together Heads of School and Research Institute Directors from diverse universities and countries. Members gain practical solutions and fresh perspectives on workload, research expectations, staffing, culture and student experience. It is a collegial, confidential space where leaders can share openly, learn from one another and build confidence in their leadership practice.

How It Works

Each group is facilitated by an experienced leader with deep understanding of the higher education and research environment.

During each meeting, participants introduce their challenge. Others seek clarification, share experiences, and suggest approaches or perspectives. Each issue receives approximately 20–30 minutes of focused discussion.

There is no formal course content unless the facilitator or group identifies relevant materials to support the discussion.

Expressions of Interest

If you wish to find out more about HELEX, or be considered to be part of a curated group of higher education leaders across Australia.

 Click here to contact  Mark Douglas