Dr Grace Jones

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

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

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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)

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Mentoring circle = two mentors & group of
5-6 mentees
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Advantages of mentoring circle vs. 1:1
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Disadvantages of mentoring circle vs. 1:1

‘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)

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Why did you volunteer?
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Come up with a list of benefits of being a
‘circle leader’

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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)

Finish the sentence:
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Mentors are expected to…..
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Mentees are expected to…

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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.

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‘Active’ listening
◦ Body language
◦ Eye contact
◦ Paraphrase/summarize
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‘Open’ Questions
◦ Not ‘yes/no’
◦ How, why, what, in what way…

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You should establish the ground rules of each meeting in your first session together.
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Discuss what your ground rules might be.

◦ 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

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What would you have found helpful at this stage?

Work-life balance
How to get an academic job
Networking
Supervisor relationship
Sharing experiences
Seminars, research in progress etc
Training
Needs
Analysis
Conferences
Motivation
Impact
Starting to teach
Careers outside academia
ESRC opportunities

Piled Higher and
Deeper by Jorge
Cham www.phdcomics.com

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Groups and first date set by DTC
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Mentors facilitate
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Welcome & introduction
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Set ground rules (confidentiality, respect, honesty, trust, non-judgemental, listening)
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Discuss possible topics

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Mentors (circle leaders) fix time and location
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Preparation (ideas, research)
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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.
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Give each member space to speak on topic
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Fix time, location & topic of next meeting at end of session.

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2 groups, 1 leader
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How I’m feeling about finishing my PhD…
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Respect, honest, non-judgemental, listening, confidential
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Active listening, open questions

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Pilot scheme – open to suggestions!
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Feedback – mentor circle leaders’ meeting, survey monkey for mentees
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Social event – summer?

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