1. ESRC DTC Mentoring Circles
Dr Grace Jones

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

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

4. Aims & Objectives 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)

5. Mentoring ‘circles’
Mentoring circle = two mentors & group of 5-6 mentees
Advantages of mentoring circle vs. 1:1
Disadvantages of mentoring circle vs. 1:1
Advantages: more knowledge to share within a group, greater opportunity to network, more chance of building lasting friendships to avoid isolation, future collaborative research, less work-intensive on mentors as group can share responsibility for preparation, evidence that people learn as much from peers as from more experienced mentor.
Disadvantages: some people less happy to speak within a group. Some people may not be honest within a group because they fear being embarrassed in front of a group. Need to mitigate against this: firm ground rules, build trust, mentors should be responsible for facilitating meeting so all people get chance to speak. Mentees can be encouraged to meet in smaller groups between sessions to discuss their progress and build confidence.

6. Why circles?
‘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)

7. What’s in it for me? Why did you volunteer?
Come up with a list of benefits of being a ‘circle leader’

8. Some benefits….
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)

9. Expectations Finish the sentence: Mentors are expected to…..
Mentees are expected to…
Possible answers: mentors are expected to arrange the time and location of the meeting, manage mentees who want to dominate the meeting by giving others the chance to speak, don’t dominate the meeting yourself, respect everyone’s points of view, prepare for the meeting by researching the topic, share your greater knowledge of PhD study but you are not expected to know everything.
Mentees are expected to: prepare for the meeting by researching the topic, give everyone the chance to contribute, don’t dominate the meeting, don’t be afraid to share your opinion, ask questions, respect each other’s points of view.

10. Expectations 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.
Try to attend all meetings wherever possible
Preparation in advance: be ready with topics and discussion points, briefly research topics where necessary
Try to attend all meetings but sometimes unavoidable issues come up.
Try to foster an atmosphere where people feel comfortable sharing personal stories and issues
Feedback & Suggestions – can be provided by any circle participant also but don’t try to tell others what to do – only that person knows what is best in their situation
Mentors – you are there to facilitate and advise where they can but you can’t be expected to know everything – mentees responsibility to find out.

11. Skills ‘Active’ listening ‘Open’ Questions Body language Eye contact
Paraphrase/summarize
‘Open’ Questions
Not ‘yes/no’
How, why, what, in what way…
Body language: open posture, leaning slightly forward when other person is talking, don’t fidget, show you are listening
Eye contact: don’t glare at them, but eye contact can be used to show you are listening, look towards the person not away
Paraphrase/summarize: shows you understand what person has said if you can re-phrase it in your own words.
Open questions – encourages deeper reflection and lets talker provide more detail.
Practice: ‘Bad’ and then ‘Good’ Skills

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

13. Ground rules – all circles
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
Don’t judge other people’s ideas, remember cultural and socio-economic differences may also influence certain perspectives so what is ‘true’ for you may not ‘true’ for another mentee

14. Topics
What would you have found helpful at this stage?

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

16. Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham

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

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

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

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

21. ?