Cross-institutional mentoring scheme for early career academics
Background
This initiative is a new scheme supported by Academic Professional Development at the University of Dundee and Staff Development at the University of St Andrews.
The pilot ran from November 2007 for one year and included a mentoring strand and a networking strand, based on the successful pilot of a similar scheme for female academics.
Due to positive feedback from both mentees and mentors, the scheme ran for a second successful cycle in academic year 2009/2010 and a third cycle in May 2010/11. The fourth cycle will commence in academic year 2011/12.
What is mentoring?
The original 'Mentor' was a wise and trusted counsellor or adviser from Greek mythology but mentoring is a term now used to describe a developmental relationship between colleagues, one of whom will (normally) be a more experienced practitioner.
Mentoring relationships facilitate personal and professional development through support, challenge and review. The role of mentors can involve:
- listening to concerns
- identifying problems
- modelling appropriate behaviour
- confronting negativity
- challenging views and actions reviewing current practice
- helping to consolidate learning
Aim and objectives
The aim of the scheme is to support early-career researchers in managing their careers. Scheme objectives are:
- Share knowledge and expertise.
- Increase cross-institutional mentoring.
- Support mentees with goal setting and career management.
- Support mentees in taking responsibility for their own skills and career development.
We are looking for mentors!
Mentors who would like to take part in the scheme should be:
- Principal Investigators, Lecturers or Senior Lecturers.
- Experienced in Supervision.
- Actively interested in continuing professional development.
- Actively involved in research.
- Able to commit one hour per month to the mentoring scheme.
Or would you be interested in being a mentee?
Mentees who would like to take part in the scheme should be:
- Post-doctoral researchers or early career academics.
- Aiming to manage their academic career.
- Able to commit one hour per month to the mentoring scheme (plus travel to their mentor's base).
The matching process
Mentors and mentees will be matched according to the information provided in the application form. The number of mentors taking part will determine the number of mentees.
To apply to join the scheme, please complete the form by clicking on the link on the right hand side. The fourth cycle of the scheme will begin in August 2011, but we do accept applications at any time throughout the year. Completed application forms should be returned to Jos Finer, CAPOD; faxed to x2536 or emailed to jaf21@st-andrews.ac.uk.
