1. Ruth Deighton and Jane Taylor 21 June 2017
Establishing a Mentorship Scheme for Career Development PhD students in Learning and Teaching
Ruth Deighton and Jane Taylor
21 June 2017

2. BMS International Career Development PhD Programme
4 year collaborative PhD scholarships (UoE and Zhejiang University)
Innovative research, international experience, training and career development
Undertake research project in Biomedical Sciences (UoE)
25% of time spent engaging with teaching
Currently 8 students enrolled (recruiting for 2017/18)

3. Why our students applied for this PhD Programme
“I can pursue a career in science as well as in Higher Education. The additional benefit of experiencing a different culture with the travel to China is another major appeal.” “It provides the opportunity to gain a formal teaching qualification alongside conducting research. Not only do we get involved in teaching at the University of Edinburgh, but we also get international teaching experience in China.” “The opportunity to attain teaching experience whilst completing research at a world- leading University was key for my application to this particular post.” “Academia is very much an international community and I feel this experience, and the challenges we will face, will set us apart when it comes to applying for jobs later on down the line, standing us in good stead for the rest of our teaching career.”

4. Why have a mentorship scheme?
Mentoring is an established process used to develop individuals and help them reach their potential
Our aim:
To provide support and guidance as the students develop their career in teaching
Specifically we will support the students to
Develop specific skills in teaching (e.g. facilitating, tutoring, demonstrating, marking and providing feedback)
Gain accreditation with the HEA at Associate Fellowship level
It is also a new idea that as yet, only a handful of other Schools are doing – these schools include the Vet School, Divinity and School of Social and Political Science (that we know of)

5. Mentorship Structure Group meetings (8-12 students); 2 mentors
Semester 1
Meeting 1: end of August
Meeting 2: end of October (week 6)
Meeting 3: mid-December (week 13/14)
Semester 2
Meeting 4: end of Feb (FLW)
Meeting 5: mid-late April (spring break)
Meeting 6: end of S2 (early June)
Group meetings (8-12 students); 2 mentors
Meet 6 times a year
Designed to facilitate pre-, mid- & end of semester discussions, reflection and future planning
Opportunity to discuss, share and evaluate experiences (peer support)
Plus opportunities for students to meet with mentors (1:1 support)
Group sessions are focused on a specific area of teaching (e.g. marking & feedback)
Feedback and Evaluation: The framework will be evaluated and student feedback sought in order to improve and develop the scheme

6. Mentorship Framework Code of Practice
Mentees
Keep to agreements on regularity of meetings / communication
Prepare for and participate in meetings with mentors
Keep mentor informed of progress and any problems
Ask for help or advice
Attend BMTO Teaching Network meetings as part of CPD
Mentors
Review development of teaching skills & experience
Help reflect on learning
Help identify developmental needs
Provide support & guidance towards HEA accreditation
Provide feedback on written work for HEA accreditation
Mentors trained and supported by IAD

7. Developing Teaching: a timetable of teaching activities
Year 1
Semester 1: Observing FGDs and tutorials (BMS1). Demonstrating in practical classes (BMS1). Semester 2: Leading FGDs (MB1) plus involvement in assessment Attend IAD courses: “Enhancing Tutorials” and “Introduction to Laboratory Demonstrating” Semester 1: Leading FGDs (BMS1) Practical demonstrating (MII2 and/or BMS2) Attend IAD courses: two further courses of own choice
Year 2
HEA
Associate Fellow

8. Developing Teaching: a timetable of teaching activities
Year 3
Semester 1 & 2: Lead tutorials (CTO2) and deliver associated marking & feedback Opportunity to travel to and teach in China (plus be involved in design of teaching sessions where appropriate) Plus: additional teaching of BMS courses of own choice Semester 1 & 2: Teaching activities in BMS courses of own choice Opportunity to travel to and teach in China (where appropriate)
Year 4
HEA
Fellow
Additional CPD opportunities in Years 3 & 4: mentorship meetings, workshops, presenting at BMTO Teaching Network Meeting, attending teaching conferences

9. Mentorship Meetings to support Teaching Activities
Themes:
Optimising Small Group Teaching for your students
Marking and Giving Constructive Feedback
Learning Outcomes and Objectives: why do they matter and how do we write them?
Working with International Students
Peer Observation and how it can help my teaching

10. Feedback about mentorship meetings
“I was excited to learn about the mentoring scheme as I have little experience of teaching and it is beneficial to have experienced members of staff to turn to for support and expertise as we develop our own teaching style.” "Having the mentorship for the teaching aspect of the PhD programme is a great idea. It provides the opportunity to discuss issues with the mentors and other PhD students, and learn from each other’s experiences. This will allow me to further develop my teaching skills required to become an effective tutor."

11. How do we see this developing?

12. Future scope: a local BMS Edinburgh Teaching Award (EdTA) scheme
Mentorship scheme for Career Development PhD students is in part a pilot for a more widespread local BMS EdTA scheme (in collaboration with IAD)
Registered participants (vocational PhD students, interested tutors & demonstrators, postdocs, lecturers) would be allocated to mentor groups members with 2 mentors (HEA Fellows)
‘Support for Teaching’ workshops (a mixture of IAD and locally developed sessions tailored more specifically for the needs of BMS)
Group meetings to reflect, share practice and receive support for writing for HEA accreditation
EdTA applications would be submitted to IAD adjudication panel for evaluation

13. Acknowledgements
IAD: Jon Turner, Velda McCune and Daphne Loads Veterinary Medical Education Division: Catriona Bell Zhejiang Career Development PhD students
EdTA information: