The Eastern Arc Mentoring Scheme
Eastern Arc offers us the chance to go beyond the limits of our own university and work creatively with colleagues across the consortium. The programme is open to all academic, professional service and technical staff at the four EARC universities (UEA, Essex, Kent, Sussex).
The EARC mentoring scheme has been running since 2020, and over 500 colleagues have taken part.
The feedback from those who have already been involved has demonstrated the value of the scheme. Previous participants have described it as ‘a really valuable experience,’ which had ‘helped me immensely’, facilitating ‘more free-thinking and openness’, and which ‘pushed me to be my best self and be bold!’
For many it was ‘useful to know that I was not alone and the feelings and concerns I had were valid’, and that there was an equitability in the experience for both mentee and mentor: ‘the learning and sharing and partly mental health support has been two-way.’
And for some, the experience was life-changing:
‘The scheme definitely met my expectations and even exceeded them. My mentor was able to offer a different perspective on the issues and problems I was facing since she works at a different university – allowing me to take a step back and to see the bigger picture. She encouraged me to think about applying for my manager’s role when he left and there was a vacancy. Her wise counsel and support in this definitely played a part in me applying for and getting that promotion.’
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Mentoring is a voluntary, but formal, arrangement whereby ‘an experienced individual, outside the reporting relationship, holds regular meetings and discussions and takes a personal interest in guiding and supporting the development of a less experienced person in progressing within and beyond their immediate role’ (Hale, 2000).
Mentoring can cover all aspects of your career. You can be either – or both – a mentor or a mentee. In standard mentoring it is usually a more senior colleague who mentors; in reverse mentoring the more junior colleague can offer specific insights and knowledge to senior mentees.
Mentoring should be viewed as a relationship rather than a management activity. It should be a safe non-judgmental relationship that facilitates a wide range of learning, experimentation, and development.
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Mentoring across Eastern Arc and between different institutions will have a benefit to both mentors and mentees.
- Mentees: for mentees, it offers a source of support outside institutional structures, therefore clearly separated from management structures, providing a fresh perspective on many issues, and allaying potential concerns about confidentiality;
- Mentors: for mentors there is personal satisfaction; the opportunity to gain insight into a different institution, and to expand networks; evidence of taking on a senior role within the academic community.
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The scheme is intended to be as non-bureaucratic and as non-hierarchical as possible.
Once the application deadline has passed (see below), we will match mentors and mentees. They will then be invited to a launch meeting at which they will meet others on the programme. We will outline the next steps, and there will be an opportunity to ask any questions.
Mentees will then have responsibility for setting up meetings after the initial introduction. Mentors have a responsibility to commit to a certain number of meetings. Although we are not prescriptive about the number of meetings, we would suggest that there should be a minimum of three.
Meetings can be face to face, or via phone, Zoom, etc. There is no fixed time period for a mentoring relationship; it is led by mentor and mentee.
Eastern Arc will act as a point of contact for any potential issues arising from the scheme. After the initial meeting, mentors and mentees can ask to be re-matched on a ‘no-fault’ basis if it does not seem that the particular match will work.
At the end of the year, we will collate any feedback on the scheme and adapt the process as appropriate.
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The deadline for this year is closed, but we will open it again in the spring. In the meantime, for reference, here is the form we ask you to complete when you apply.
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To find out more about the scheme and mentoring generally, we have produced a series of three booklets: a general introduction, and guides specifically aimed at mentees and mentors. These are available to all, free, here.
For specific questions about the scheme, contact Phil Ward. If you would like to talk informally to the academic lead for the scheme, contact Tracey Loughran.