ESRC DTC Mentoring Circles

Dr Grace Jones

Aims & Objectives mentoring Mentoring circles Benefits Expectations and ground-rules Skills Topics First meetings Practice

Outline

3 pieces of information about your ‘partner’ Introduce them to the group

Introductions

What are the main aims/objectives of mentoring?

◦ settle in to campus – where to go for events, training etc.

◦ learning mentor – study skills support, career development advice

◦ share knowledge & experience◦ peer support◦ Networking - reduce issue of isolation◦ Collaborative research

(Colvin & Ashman, 2010)

Aims & Objectives

Mentoring circle = two mentors & group of 5-6 mentees

Advantages of mentoring circle vs. 1:1

Disadvantages of mentoring circle vs. 1:1

Mentoring ‘circles’

‘Implicit in traditional mentoring practices are unchallenged assumptions about knowledge and power…. Learning is seen as a means of transmitting knowledge from mentor to mentee and the partnership is often protective and paternalistic. Such models may been useful in bygone days but reproduction of the status quo is not what higher education institutions require in today’s knowledge economy.’ (Darwin & Palmer, 2009)

Why circles?

Why did you volunteer?

Come up with a list of benefits of being a ‘circle leader’

What’s in it for me?

Opportunities to develop and refine skills (mentoring, coaching, listening, supporting, chairing a meeting)

Opportunity to network and influence Recognition of your achievements as a doctoral

researcher Opportunity for reflection through the views of

mentees and peers Satisfaction when a mentee succeeds or gains

confidence Opportunity to share experiences to assist others in

their development and growth Impressive entry on your CV (Mentoring Circle Leader)

Some benefits….

Finish the sentence:

Mentors are expected to…..

Mentees are expected to…

Expectations

Arrange meetings so everyone can attend wherever possible

Work collaboratively with the other mentor in your circle First meeting - ground rules and expectations Facilitate so all mentees have chance to speak Provide constructive feedback - push participants to think

more deeply, address uncomfortable issues When appropriate provide practical relevant suggestions As a more senior research student within the circle you will

have valuable experience/knowledge/information so please share it with your circle, but you are not expected to know it all.

Provide feedback on the scheme as it progresses throughout the year.

Expectations

‘Active’ listening ◦ Body language◦ Eye contact◦ Paraphrase/summarize

‘Open’ Questions◦ Not ‘yes/no’◦ How, why, what, in what way…

Skills

You should establish the ground rules of each meeting in your first session together.

Discuss what your ground rules might be.

Ground rules

◦ Confidentiality –anything discussed in the session will not be discussed outside of the circle or with any external parties

◦ Respect – all mentees and mentors will be respectful of the views and feedback of others

◦ Honesty – the circles are designed for open discussion, to share issues and ideas and to help each other. Therefore all mentees and mentors are encouraged to be honest with each other.

◦ Trust – Both personal and professional issues may be explored within the circles so each mentee and mentor must feel within an environment of trust.

◦ Non- judgmental environment – participants and circle leaders must feel able to discuss topics and issues without fear of judgement from other participants. Participants should approach issues sensitively and professionally.

◦ Listening – participants and circle leaders will pay attention to and not interrupt each other

Ground rules – all circles

What would you have found helpful at this stage?

Topics

Possible Topics:

Work-life balance

How to get an

academic job

NetworkingConferences

Training Needs

Analysis

MotivationSupervisor relationship

Sharing experiences

Seminars, research in progress etc

Impact

Careers outside

academiaStarting to teach

ESRC opportunities

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham

  www.phdcomics.com

Groups and first date set by DTC

Mentors facilitate

Welcome & introduction

Set ground rules (confidentiality, respect, honesty, trust, non-judgemental, listening)

Discuss possible topics

What happens in first meeting?

Mentors (circle leaders) fix time and location Preparation (ideas, research)

Teaching techniques – ◦ mentors can devolve facilitation responsibility to different

mentees after first few sessions◦ different mentees could be asked to prepare short presentation

on topic to introduce it.

Give each member space to speak on topic

Fix time, location & topic of next meeting at end of session.

Organising a session

2 groups, 1 leader

How I’m feeling about finishing my PhD…

Respect, honest, non-judgemental, listening, confidential

Active listening, open questions

Practice

Pilot scheme – open to suggestions!

Feedback – mentor circle leaders’ meeting, survey monkey for mentees

Social event – summer?

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