Researcher mentoring scheme

All UK-based researchers working in the prostate cancer field are welcome to join the mentoring scheme. Participants do not need to be working on a project funded by Prostate Cancer UK, although priority may be given to researchers we fund if demand exceeds capacity.

Mentors are likely to have recently achieved independence in their research careers, while mentees will be earlier in their career.

We will use the information you provide through the online form to match mentees who are seeking support with particular areas of career or personal development with mentors with interest and expertise in those areas. We will approach mentors and mentees individually with the potential match. Once both parties agree, we will share contact details. If either of you find that the partnership does not work, please contact us and we will support where we can.

We suggest the initial meeting is held virtually over a video call or phone call. In-person visits can be useful in some partnerships, but would need to be funded and arranged by the mentor and mentee. It is the mentee’s responsibility to make initial contact with the mentor, and the mentee would also usually arrange the subsequent meetings, at times that are mutually convenient with the mentor.

We suggest meetings are likely to last around an hour.

We suggest that meetings are initially held monthly, but this may vary depending upon the objectives and goals you have established.

The mentee should prepare for the initial meeting by identifying a clear mentoring objective that focuses on their personal development and building the skills needed for career progression.

Some examples of areas mentees could seek support with are:

• Career strategy, transitions and planning
• Establishing independence
• Managing professional relationships
• Developing collaborations
• Building effective networks
• Skill development e.g. communication, critical thinking, time management
• Applying for funding
• Leadership development
• Public and patient involvement
• Diversity and inclusion
• Work-life balance

A good mentoring relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, and shared learning. It should be a safe space where both mentor and mentee come together as equals, setting aside any power dynamics that may stem from differing levels of seniority. Rather than providing solutions, a mentor’s role is to listen and support the mentee in developing their own ideas and skills, creating opportunities for both partners to broaden their perspectives and strengthen their capabilities.

Mentoring relationships should provide a safe space within which both parties can share their stories freely with the expectation that their conversations are confidential. However, if either party has any serious concerns regarding the welfare of their mentoring partner, they should speak to the designated safeguarding lead at their institution. If appropriate, they should gain the consent of their mentoring partner before doing so.

We will send both the mentor and mentee an initial survey after 4 weeks to check the partnership has been set up and is running smoothly. After a further 3 months, we will send you both a feedback survey. We may also contact you at a later date to gather information on any longer-term impact of the mentoring scheme.

We recommend a minimum of 3 months. If both the mentor and mentee would like to continue the mentoring relationship beyond this initial stage, they are free to do so for as long as they find it useful.

Yes!  If you are a mentee and your mentoring relationship has come to an end, you are welcome to submit a new registration form to be paired with another mentor.  Mentors can continue to participate in the scheme for as long as they like – we will contact you at the end of each partnership to ask if you wish to be paired with a new mentee.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.