We are excited to share an update on our upcoming program, Mastering Mentoring. We recently held a collaborative online workshop with the Development Group to shape the course content. This session focused on aligning the program with the needs of institutions, to ensure mentors and mentees receive the training they need for a successful mentoring experience.
Mastering Mentoring is designed to support the development of meaningful relationships and create a supportive and inclusive environment, which is especially important for researchers in the early stages of their career. Mentoring opens doors and provides an opportunity of growth by providing access to knowledge, resources and networks - helping to build equity across research environments.
Beyond academic development, mentorship also contributes to supporting mental wellbeing by offering a trusted space to share challenges and celebrate triumphs. The program aims to empower mentors with the skills to share their knowledge and experience effectively, while helping mentees thrive in their research journey.
Guided by Experience: Introducing Our Lead Advisors
Mastering Mentoring is being developed in close collaboration with both lead advisors, Audrey Murrell and Mike Snowden, who both have a wealth of experience in mentorship and bring their own expertise to the course. Audrey Murrell - Professor of Business Administration, Psychology, Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh - has co-authored several books on mentoring and serves on the executive board of the International Mentoring Association, specializing in mentoring under-represented groups. Mike Snowden is a renowned researcher in mentoring and pedagogy at the University of Huddersfield and is widely published in the field of mentoring. He also co-authored the 2018 book Mentorship, Leadership, and Research.
Their insights will help shape the course with real life examples and guidance – ideal for others who are navigating mentoring relationships for the first time, as well as experienced mentors looking to refine their skills or their approach.
Workshop Thematic Discussions
Bringing together university representatives from the University of New South Wales, Bahrain Polytechnic, TU Dresden, University of Heidelberg, and Dartmouth College, alongside the editorial team behind the course, the Mastering Mentoring workshop was a rich and collaborative session that surfaced a wide range of thematic discussions. During the workshop, attendees explore key topics to include and expand upon in the course content, drawing from their diverse institutional perspectives and mentoring experiences.
Key themes included:
Ethics and Safeguarding – establishing clear procedures and standard for conflict resolution and support by setting expectations and clear boundaries
Mentoring Across Difference – mentoring improving across diverse cultures, groups and nationalities to improve access and outcomes
Reciprocity - the importance of designing reciprocal approaches to help foster mutual learning and leadership development
The impact of good mentoring – improving research culture, enhanced research outputs and opportunity for career development
Helke Hillebrand from University of Heidelberg shared her reflections on the session:
‘The Epigeum workshops are really inspiring. It is great to be able to listen and to contribute to such a diverse group of people and to learn about the challenges and best practices available at this large variety of institutions across the globe. It truly was a privilege to have been able to participate in the Mastering Mentoring development group workshop and I am grateful the opportunity existed - not only for MM but also for many other topics as well.’
A note from the Commissioning Editor, Beth Summers:
‘Bringing together our Development Group partners and contributors is one of the highlights of our publishing process. We were fortunate to be able to gain feedback from a wide range of partners, this feedback will now inform the direction of the course. Working together during the workshop enabled us to host critical discussions about the modules so far, as well as seeking insights in relation to several key thematic areas which are central to the program’s direction. The workshop is an important step to developing an impactful and engaging training resource.’
Program Content
The new program is expected to be published in 2026 and contains personalized modules catering to both mentor and mentees needs. These short modules will enable busy researchers to dip in and out of the program according to their needs and will include real life case studies and video interviews, representing a range of researchers from diverse backgrounds and career stages.
The modules for Mastering Mentoring will include:
Mentor Facing Course
Module 1: Introduction to mentoring
Module 2: Roles and responsibilities
Module 3: Developing a mentoring plan
Module 4: Establishing rapport, building relationships and developing trust
Module 5: Mentoring across difference
Module 6: Establishing professionalism in mentoring
Mentee Facing Course
Module 1: Introduction to mentoring
Module 2: Roles and responsibilities
Module 3: Developing a mentoring plan
Module 4: Establishing rapport, building relationships and developing trust
Module 5: The mentoring network
Module 6: Becoming a mentor
Mastering Mentoring will be published in 2026. Visit our website to find out more.
