THE HUMAN FIRST COMMUNITY
Join a global community making higher education more human.
Membership gives you unlimited access to every Human First course and entry to our private, members-only community events. All for $49 a year, from anywhere in the world.
Become a member: $49/yearLess than the price of one course. Renews yearly. Cancel any time.
WHO IT'S FOR
For the people behind the metrics.
Membership is built for three groups who carry higher education every day.
Current and aspiring leaders
Presidents, vice chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, pro-vice chancellors, deans, heads of department, directors, and those preparing for the role. Stay human at the top and make decisions you can explain to the people affected.
Faculty
Teaching and research faculty who want their full contribution to be seen, and who want to protect meaningful work in the age of AI.
PhD and DBA researchers
Doctoral researchers who want to keep making progress without burning out, and to finish with their life still intact.
BENEFIT 1 路 UNLIMITED COURSES
Every course. Free for members.
Short, practical, self-paced courses by Dr Saud Taj, each with worksheets you can use the same week and a certificate of completion when you finish. Here is the library today.
FOR SENIOR LEADERS
The Four Walls: Staying Human at the Top
Six short modules on what the role is changing about your relationships, honesty, performance and values, ending with a 90-day plan.
$59 on its own 路 Included in membership
FOR LEADERS MAKING DECISIONS
The Human First Decision Test in Practice
Make consequential decisions about workload, promotion, performance, restructuring and AI that you can explain to the people affected, with templates for every step.
$59 on its own 路 Included in membership
FOR FACULTY
Behind the Metric: Being Seen as Faculty
Understand how you are measured, make your full contribution visible, and protect meaningful work in the age of AI.
$59 on its own 路 Included in membership
FOR PHD AND DBA RESEARCHERS
Your Doctorate, Your Life
Break the overwhelm-avoidance-guilt cycle, build a realistic weekly rhythm, and work through difficult supervisor feedback.
$29 on its own 路 Included in membership
And every new course we release, free while you're a member.
BENEFIT 2 路 PRIVATE COMMUNITY EVENTS
A room of people who understand your work.
Members get access to private community events that are not open to the public. A few events stay open to everyone, so you can come and see what the community is like before you join.
MEMBERS ONLY
Private community events
Closed sessions for members only: smaller rooms, deeper conversation, and direct time with Dr Saud Taj and the community. You'll receive the members' calendar when you join.
OPEN TO EVERYONE
Selected open events
A few community events stay free and public, such as the Human First Caf茅, a monthly global gathering from January 2027. Come as a guest, meet the community, and join when you're ready.
THE MEMBERSHIP
Courses bought separately: $206.
As a member: $49 a year.
Unlimited courses, including every new release 路 private members-only events 路 a certificate of completion for every course 路 worksheets and templates in every module 路 learn on your own schedule, from anywhere
Become a member
WHY I BUILT THIS
Behind every metric is a human being.
I have held leadership roles in the UK, Canada and Pakistan, taught in four countries, and served as Acting Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor at 36. Across all of it, the same truth kept showing up: the people who carry higher education are too often unseen.
This community is how I want to serve them, wherever they are in the world. Practical courses, honest conversation, and a place where you are seen.
Lead With Heart,
Dr Saud Taj
Founder, Human First Institute
QUESTIONS
Before you join
What do members get?
Two things: unlimited access to every Human First course, including every new one, and access to private community events that are not open to the public.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. When you complete a course, you'll receive a Human First Institute certificate of completion by email, with a unique serial number. You can download it as a PDF or share it on LinkedIn.
How does billing work?
Membership is $49 a year, charged once a year, and renews automatically. You can cancel any time from your account, and you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Can I try the community first?
Yes. A few community events stay open to everyone. Come as a guest and join when you're ready.
Can I buy just one course?
Yes. Each course can be bought on its own ($59, or $29 for Your Doctorate, Your Life) with lifetime access to that course. Members get every course free.
Is this therapy or career placement?
No. We offer learning, community and peer support. We do not provide therapy, legal, immigration or employment advice, or guaranteed jobs.
Can I get a discount or scholarship?
Email us at info@humanfirstinstitute.co and we'll look into it directly.
Make higher education more human, starting with yours.
Unlimited courses. Private community events. $49 a year.
Become a member