Mentoring scheme
The Royal Society mentoring scheme aims to provide career support to first year University Research, Dorothy Hodgkin, Newton International and Career Development Fellows.
Register your interest
The mentoring scheme is open to eligible research fellows in their first year of award and runs for a year's cycle. The scheme focuses on career development rather than research support, with matches made within general research field and based on the interests of registered mentees and mentors.
If you would like further information about involvement with the mentoring programme, please email mentoring@royalsociety.org
How does the scheme work?
The scheme offers the next generation of research leaders the opportunity to be paired with an experienced mentor. Mentors act as an impartial sounding board to help the mentee navigate the challenges in their first steps to independence.
Below are some examples of topics mentors could offer support or guidance in:
- Career strategy and planning
- Establishing independence
- Managing a group and relationships
- Building effective networks
- Work-life balance
Who could I be paired with?
Mentors will be either a Royal Society Research Fellow alumnus, a Fellow of the Royal Society, or a current award holder in the later years of their Fellowship.
How are mentoring pairs matched?
Mentees are required to register to provide detail about their research field, mentoring interests and geographical location. Royal Society staff then match as closely as possible based on this information. Whilst efforts are made to pair mentees with mentors in a similar field, it is important to note that the focus of the mentoring scheme is on career management and personal development rather than research support.
Both the mentee and mentor are asked to confirm that they would like to proceed as a pair. Find more about the matching process (PDF).
How would the partnership run?
Pairs are encouraged to establish a framework of communication that suits both parties including the frequency and method of interaction. It is the responsibility of the mentee to drive forward the partnership. The Society is hands off in its approach to pairs but we do have guidance on how to make an effective mentoring pair (PDF).
The Royal Society also runs training workshops throughout the year to provide support for those participating. They offer practical tips for making the most of the partnerships and are run by Professor Dorothy Griffiths (Imperial Business School).
If you have any questions about this scheme please contact the team.