Mentoring
Mentorship for Research Career Development
Mentoring plays a pivotal role in cultivating a thriving environment, particularly within the academic and professional realms. It's a dynamic relationship that propels individuals towards achieving their goals, and beyond, by fostering a culture of continuous learning, exchange of ideas, and mutual growth. The essence of mentoring goes beyond the mere transfer of knowledge; it's about building robust research communities, appreciating the uniqueness of individuals, and celebrating every milestone, no matter how small. The availability and responsiveness of mentors, coupled with the self-directed drive of mentees, creates a synergistic relationship that significantly contributes to skill development. Furthermore, the lifelong commitment within a mentorship relationship not only enriches the personal and professional journeys of the individuals involved but also creates a ripple effect of positive growth within the larger community.
EURAXESS International Mentoring program
The EURAXESS International Mentoring Program provides an opportunity for researchers looking for international mentoring. UQ is proud to be a participating member in this international program, which is designed to promote collaboration and support between researchers in the European Research Area (ERA) and the EURAXESS Global network.
The EURAXESS International Mentoring program aims to:
- Facilitate mobility of researchers,
- Encourage knowledge exchange and sharing of good practices,
- Raise awareness of the importance of soft skills for international mobility, and
- Strengthen the links between the research community from ERA and the EURAXESS Worldwide network
The EURAXESS network offers a one-stop-shop for information and support, that operates in 43 European countries and has 9 worldwide hubs, providing services free of charge to researchers, entrepreneurs, and research-performing organisations. EURAXESS aims to support the mobility of researchers and innovators and provide a range of resources and services to help researchers advance their careers and personal development.
As a mentor, you'll have the unique opportunity to share your skills, knowledge, and expertise with early-career researchers, guiding and shaping their future.
As a mentee (Early Career Researcher), you'll have a chance to connect with senior researchers from around the world, gaining valuable insights and expanding your professional network.
With over 1000 participating researchers, this international mentoring program offers a chance to broaden your understanding of global research methodologies, explore international research collaboration, and access new perspectives and strategies for your own research.
The program involves at least six voluntary online mentorship sessions over a period of up to six months. These sessions provide a virtual platform for mentor and mentee to discuss topics related to research and professional development.
For more information on this opportunity to shape the future of your research and advance your career, follow the links below.
How to register for the EURAXESS International Mentoring Programme (step-by-step graphical guide as a pdf)
Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS)
The Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) is an innovative program that connects postdoctoral researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with experienced industry leaders for a one-year mentoring and professional development experience.
The program offers early career researchers a unique opportunity to expand their understanding of industry, enhance their skills and attributes, and grow their professional network beyond academia. Through IMNIS, mentees can gain insights into what it takes to succeed in STEM, understand the workings of industry, and learn about career opportunities in other professional sectors.
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Applications for the 2024 IMNIS Mentee program has closed.
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ScienceLink Mentoring program - Faculty of Science
ScienceLink is the Faculty of Science's career mentoring program, designed to link Early to Mid-Career Researchers and Academics with seasoned Senior Researchers and Academics. This program offers tailored guidance over a 6-month period, which may be extended upon agreement.
Mentee Criteria:
- Open to Early to Mid-Career Academics within the Faculty of Science, including:
- Teaching and Research roles
- Research Focused roles (e.g. postdocs, research fellows)
- Teaching Focused roles
- Clinical Academics.
Mentorship Benefits:
- Strengthen your professional growth with dedicated support.
- Engage in one-on-one sessions, enhancing your personal and career development in a way that resonates with your aspirations.
Become a Mentor:
If you are an experienced academic with a passion for nurturing growth, we invite you to join us. We're in search of mentors who:
- Are deeply passionate about fostering development in others.
- Can offer constructive, judgment-free feedback.
- Are dependable, inquisitive, and possess excellent communication skills.
Mentor Criteria:
- Open to Level C, D, and E Academics within the Faculty of Science.
Discover more and register your interest through the provided link. Join us in shaping the future of science at UQ.
UQPN Mentor Me program
The UQ Professionals Network offers Mentor Me, a structured mentoring program exclusive to UQPN members. The pilot program was completed in 2023 and has been developed by professional staff for professional staff and will be exclusive to UQPN members.
Join UQPN today to get involved.
The program connects mentees with a mentor and guides participants through building a structured mentoring relationship. Participants will have access to specialised training, activities, seminars, networking events and ongoing support from the UQPN Executive Team. Participants will learn more about themselves, advance in their career, develop new skills, expand their network and connect with their peers.
Take the first step in furthering your professional development by joining the 2024 round of the Mentor Me Program. Submit your expression of interest to the Mentor Me Program Team (mentorme@uq.edu.au) by 31 January 2024 to be considered for the program.
UQ ChangeMakers
UQ ChangeMakers is an alumni platform that allows graduates of the University of Queensland to stay connected and leverage their professional network. With over 325,000 alumni, the platform provides a space for alumni to connect with each other, find mentorship, access research breakthroughs, and receive exclusive event opportunities and bonus content. Alumni can also give back by introducing, employing and acting as mentors to graduating students. UQ ChangeMakers integrates with social networks and cultivates a culture of helping and giving back, making it an active and vibrant community for alumni to connect and expand their professional network.
Mentorship: How to Empower the UQ Research Community
Mentorship holds multifaceted significance. It is not just about guiding the next generation of researchers but empowering them with the skills, confidence, and networks they need to make ground-breaking strides in their fields. For Mentors: see Nature's guide for mentors and take the self-assessment "How Effective Are You as a Mentor" (aka The Mentor's ABACUS+)
Building Research Communities: Through mentorship, seasoned researchers can foster collaborative environments, promoting the exchange of ideas and strategies. Such communities act as powerful incubators for innovation and advancement in the field.
Appreciation & Celebration: Recognising the unique qualities of each individual forms the cornerstone of successful mentorship. Celebrating the individual achievements of mentees not only boosts their confidence but also fosters a culture of acknowledgment and encouragement.
Availability & Responsiveness: Effective mentorship thrives on open communication channels. Being available and responsive to mentees ensures that they have the guidance they need, precisely when they need it.
Celebration of Milestones: Every achievement, whether big or small, deserves recognition. Celebrating successes within the mentorship relationship amplifies motivation and drive, pushing mentees to strive for higher milestones.
Self-direction: While guidance is pivotal, allowing mentees the autonomy to steer their research and make decisions is equally important. This encourages critical thinking and instils a sense of responsibility.
Skill Development: Beyond technical knowledge, mentorship plays a crucial role in honing soft skills. From effective communication to project management, these skills are indispensable in a researcher's toolkit.
Lifetime Commitment: Mentorship isn't a transient phase but a lifelong commitment. True mentors continue to offer support, advice, and insights throughout a researcher's career, fortifying the bond over the years.
Networking: Introducing mentees to broader professional networks can open doors to collaborations, partnerships, and new opportunities. This broadening of horizons is pivotal for career growth.
Encouraging Questioning: Fostering a culture where mentees can question, challenge, and seek clarity is essential. It promotes deeper understanding, critical analysis, and innovative problem-solving.
10 Simple Rules for Developing Mentor-Mentee Expectations
Discussions on mentoring typically emphasise concepts such as communication and consistency rather than specific strategies to boost mentor-mentee relationships. This research paper sets itself apart by offering 10 simple rules to craft an "expectations document". It's worth noting that while this document has universal application, it is geared towards the science disciplines.
Masters KS, Kreeger PK (2017) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005709
Links to Research on Mentoring
Establishing online mentorship for early career researchers
Mentorship promotes personal growth by pairing trainees with experienced mentors. With global integration, geographical closeness is less crucial, leading to the rise of online mentoring. This editorial outlines the International Online Mentoring Programme by the Student and Postdoc Special Interest Group of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping.
Mentoring in Academia: Perspectives of Mentor and Mentee
This research paper delves into both the mentor and mentee's reasons for joining a university mentoring program, their mutual anticipations, and the sustenance of their mentorship bond. The study found that mentors and mentees shared career advancement goals and maintained their relationship through both tangible achievements, such as increased research publications, and intangible gains, like enhanced self-confidence.
Mentorship for Early Career Women Researcher
In 2020, a UN collaboration introduced a mentorship program tailored for emerging female researchers in sexual and reproductive health and rights, from low- and middle-income countries. This paper discusses the program's design, highlighting the importance of considering language and geography, involving mentees in mentor matching, offering training, and fostering networking. Key lessons were incorporated into the program's 2022 iteration. The initiative underscores the potential of targeted mentorship to address gender disparities and boost research capability.
The Mentor’s Role in Fostering Research Integrity Standards Among New Generations of Researchers
The review examines the significance of effective mentorship, including mentor qualities and responsibilities, and the role of institutions in supporting it. It underscores mentors' duty to promote research integrity and the adverse effects of poor mentorship on the research environment.