Mentoring for Level C women and non-binary academics seeking promotion

Expressions of Interest are open from Friday 21 October to Sunday 4 December 2022 for the Athena Swan Supporting Talent & Enabling Progression [STEP].

To apply, please visit the STEP Program webpage.

ABOUT THE STEP PROGRAM
The STEP program is an initiative of the Athena Swan Taskforce – a working group focused on advancing gender equity at the University. The aim of the program is to increase the number of talented women and non-binary staff in senior academic roles. The program establishes a time-limited mentoring relationship for Level C staff who identify as women or non-binary and will be eligible for promotion in 2023. Mentees are matched with senior academic staff of any gender who have experience in the promotion process to Level D or above – as previous applicants, assessors, or panel members. The program runs for six months and is aligned with the 2023 academic promotion round. Mentors provide support and guidance to help mentees prepare their promotion applications. Mentees participating in the STEP program will also have access to tailored workshops, resources, and peer networking groups. Further information is available on the STEP program webpage.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
We welcome expressions of interest from:

Mentees

• have lived experience of womanhood or identify as non-binary

• meet the eligibility criteria for promotion to Level D

• are considering applying for promotion in the next few years

• are outside MDHS (MDHS will continue with the MDHS SWiM Mentoring for Promotion program in 2023, its own faculty-led program).

Mentors

• any gender

• Level D or above

• have past mentoring experience

• have successfully participated in a University academic promotion process up to at least Level D (as applicant, assessor and/or panel member)

Mentors and mentees are expected to live the University’s values articulated in the Appropriate Workplace Behaviour Policy and be committed to the success of the program.

WHAT ARE PARTICIPANTS COMMITTING TO?
Mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet at least four times from February to June 2023. In addition, there are workshops and drop-in events for mentees, a launch event, and a celebratory event. Mentees will also be encouraged to join peer networks within the broader mentee cohort. The establishment of peer networks will be facilitated at the Launch Event.

WHAT IS THE INTENDED OUTCOME?
Mentors will support mentees in preparing their promotion applications. This may include guidance on promotion readiness, and as such, it is recommended that the first meeting should occur prior to the mentee advising their HoD/HoS of their intention to apply in 2023. Mentors will not write or edit applications. They will provide advice related to time management and the narrative and framing of the promotion application, including performance relative to opportunity.

HOW WILL THEMENTORS ANDMENTEES BE MATCHED?
Unless specifically requested otherwise, mentors and mentees will be matched outside their School/ Department to provide an external perspective and to reduce potential conflict of interest. Information provided by both mentors and mentees will be used to support the matching process, seeking the best fit between mentor skills and experience and the mentee’s expressed preferences and goals.