04.08.2023 - Call for Mentors: SDGnexus Network Launches "Women in Science Mentoring Program" to Empower Female Scientists
Giessen, August 4, 2023 - The SDGnexus Network announces the launch of the second phase of its pioneering "Women in Science Mentoring Program." The program aims to inspire young female scientists to immerse themselves in the academic environment and build a wide network of academics interested in mentoring master's students and doctoral candidates, early-career professors, research technicians, teaching assistants, and research assistants. The goal is to facilitate their advancement in their academic careers and provide them with guidance and support. The "Women in Science Mentoring Program" was first piloted in 2022 by the University of Cuenca in Ecuador, in collaboration with the SDGnexus Network. The resounding success of the local experience has led to the program's expansion in its second phase.
The second phase of the program will span four months, from September to December 2023. It will incorporate an international mentoring component for the mentees from the first cohort, offering them valuable benefits such as a global scientific perspective, access to diverse expertise, networking opportunities, career development, cultural awareness, and empowerment. By connecting women scientists from Ecuador with international mentors, the initiative aims to broaden their understanding of scientific research, methodologies, and challenges on a global scale. Additionally, the program will foster collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and encourage the exchange of innovative ideas across borders.
To achieve these objectives, the SDGnexus Network calls upon experienced academics from the partner universities to participate as mentors in the program. Mentors are expected to dedicate approximately 18 hours of their time over four months to online training and mentoring sessions. Moreover, mentors can also agree to host their mentees for a short-term visit of 7 to 10 days at their university, facilitating participation in lectures and other academic activities within their department or research center. Participating as a mentor in the "Women in Science Mentoring Program" offers several rewarding opportunities, including supporting the career of young female scientists, contributing to the reduction of the gender gap in academia, receiving mentor training, and exploring new connections with mentees and mentors from other partner universities to expand and diversify professional networks.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: 28th August 2023.
- Matching Period and Notification for Selection: 4th - 6th September 2023.
- Welcoming Workshop: 15th September 2023.
- Program Evaluation and Closure: 12th December 2023.
We warmly invite interested candidates to kindly fill out the application form.
Learn more about the program here.
Read more about the first phase of the program here.
For inquiries or clarifications, please contact Vanessa Coronel at mentoria.ciencia@ucuenca.edu.ec (Program Coordinator, University of Cuenca) or Pavlina.Miteva-Boelter@zeu.uni-giessen.de (Support Hub, JLU Giessen).