Common Ground Leadership Programme

Information and application details relating to the Common Ground Leadership programme.

Applications are now open for the new leadership programme starting in October 2026. All students are welcome to apply.  

Common Ground is a new Edinburgh Award accredited programme. Through practical workshops, masterclasses with inspiring, high-profile public leaders and a collaborative community project, you'll discover why people become divided, learn how to navigate disagreement constructively and build the confidence to bring people together around shared challenges. 

The programme is open to all current undergraduate and postgraduate taught and research students, regardless of discipline. 

We're looking for students who are curious, open to new perspectives and interested in making sense of an increasingly complex world to join our first cohort starting in October 2026. You don't need previous leadership experience or to see yourself as a leader already. If you're willing to listen, learn and challenge your own thinking, we encourage you to apply.


Participants should be able to commit to: 

  • Around 2 hours per week during Semester 1 and Semester 2 across a mix of in-person and online delivery 
  • One in-person skills development day in November 
  • Additional self-directed work across the programme 

 Applications close on Sunday 4th October 23:59 

To apply you will need to complete a personal statement. Your statement must address all of the following three questions:

  1. Why do you want to take part in the Common Ground programme? 
  2. What does ‘common ground’ mean to you? 
  3. What skills do you hope to develop, through taking part in the Common Ground programme and how will you use them? 

You can submit your personal statement in any of three formats: 

  1. A written statement of up to 1,000 words 
  2. A video statement of up to 5 minutes 
  3. An audio statement of up to 5 minutes 

Please note that the number of places on this programme is limited.   

If you have any questions about the application process or the programme please contact commonground@ed.ac.uk  

To apply, please complete our application form:


Throughout the programme, you'll: 

  • Explore the causes of social and political polarisation and what it takes to build understanding across difference. 
  • Engage with students from right across the University, from first year students through to PhD. 
  • Learn from experienced practitioners and public leaders who have found common ground in complex and challenging situations. 
  • Put your learning into practice by working with other students to design and deliver a project that creates positive social impact. 

By the end of the programme, you'll have: 

  • An Edinburgh Award appearing in your Higher Education Achievement Report, recognising your commitment to personal development, leadership and community engagement. Find out more about the Edinburgh Award
  • The confidence to engage constructively with different perspectives and navigate challenging conversations. 
  • Practical skills in dialogue, facilitation, mediation and conflict resolution to build trust, find common ground and bring people together. 
  • Experience of working collaboratively to create positive change in your community. 

We're living in an increasingly divided world. Social and political polarisation is shaping our communities, workplaces and public life, making it harder to have meaningful conversations across different experiences, beliefs and values.

Yet the challenges facing society, from climate change to health inequality, education to community connections, can't be solved by people who all think alike. They require people who can listen, act, understand different perspectives, engage across difference and ultimately make an impact.

Finding common ground doesn't mean agreeing on everything either. It means learning how to listen with curiosity, understand different perspectives and work constructively through disagreement. These are the skills that strengthen communities, help organisations thrive and enable sustained positive change.

Whether your future lies in healthcare, business, education, engineering, the arts, public service, the third sector or beyond, the ability to find common ground across difference is becoming one of the most valuable skills you can develop and is increasingly valued by employers.

Fiona McClement, University EDI Lead and Syjil Ramjuthan, EUSA VP Welfare

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