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UWS Academic Mentoring Program 2013
Evaluation Summary Report – August 2014
Background
The UWS Academic Mentoring Program recognises that mentoring is an important
mechanism for academic career development and contributes to building a high-performing,
competent and collegial workforce. It provides a career development opportunity for
Academic staff to broaden their knowledge, skills, capabilities and experience.
The Program supports the University’s strategic goal to retain, reward and develop its staff,
is endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor and Executive, and is funded by the University. The
Program is coordinated by the Office of Organisational Development and resources and
tools on mentoring and career planning are accessed from a Mentoring website.
The Program was introduced in 2010 with 26 academic staff (13 mentoring pairs)
participating from across the Schools and Research Centres and Institutes. In 2011, 42
academic staff (21 mentoring pairs) and in 2012 a further 42 academic staff (21 mentoring
pairs) participated.
The 2013 Program
In 2013 38 academic staff participated (19 pairs).
The UWS Academic Mentoring Program is a ten month program with both Mentors and
Mentees attending three half-day workshops at the commencement of the program (March),
at mid-term (August) and at the end of the program (November). Between workshops
Mentors and Mentees meet on a regular basis.
Mentees are drawn from early and mid-career Academics nominated by their Deans and
Mentors are members of the professoriate or senior Academic staff, also nominated by their
Deans.
Mentors and Mentees provided feedback on the value of participating in the structured
mentoring program. Examples of reported benefits and outcomes include:
o gaining insight into the different disciplines and Schools and how they function;
o enabling opportunities for collaborative research; developing cross-school
partnerships;
o developing joint research strategies;
o providing and receiving support and advice regarding promotion;
o developing skills in writing grant applications and identifying other funding sources;
o assistance with Academic Development Program and Scholarship applications;
o assistance with writing journal publications;
o gaining a fresh perspective on career development; and
o promoting the transfer of knowledge.