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?
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.
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?
Possible Topics:
How to get
an
academic
job
Work-life
balance
Starting to
teach
Training
Needs
Analysis
Conferences
Networking
Sharing
experiences
Seminars,
research in
progress etc
Motivation
Supervisor
relationship
Impact
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 –
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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.
◦ 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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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
Active listening, open questions
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Pilot scheme – open to suggestions!
Feedback – mentor circle leaders’ meeting,
survey monkey for mentees
Social event – summer?
?