Choosing a Mentor

A mentor will normally be chosen by the Head of Department, basing their decision on research interests, experience, personal style and availability, among other factors.

The mentor will not be the HoD or the mentee's line manager.

In general terms, a mentor should be able to:

• Listen actively to another’s views
• Ask open questions
• Reflect back feelings
• Make suggestions but avoid being prescriptive
• Summarise the main points of a discussion
• Give constructive, positive and precise feedback

Research and teaching profile

To properly support a new lecturer, a mentor needs to be an experienced, active teacher and researcher.

They may be the head of the research group or an experienced member of staff from another research group. It is helpful if their own research is in the same general area as the mentee so that they are aware of the national and international context of the research.

Further points to consider

• Do they want to fulfil the role?
• Do their existing commitments leave them enough time to support the new lecturer?
• Do they have the right kind of approach to their own development to appreciate the importance of development for the new lecturer?
• Are they likely to have empathy with the issues faced by new lecturers?
• Do they have a balanced view of the importance of each aspect of academic practice?
• Are they a good role model for the new lecturer?