Pilot Early Career Mentoring Program
The last few years, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen the cancellation or transitions of conferences, workshops and events to virtual formats. This has generated challenges for scholars to share their research, engage in scholarly discussions and establish meaningful connections and collaborations with colleagues. The pandemic has also created additional challenges for PhD candidates (PhD) and Early Career Researchers (ECR) who have missed opportunities to create vital cross-institutional and inter-state connections that are the foundations of being part of a vivid and vibrant scholarly community. In recognition of these challenges, AAANZ is launching a Pilot Early Career Mentoring Program to create and demonstrate our support for PhD and ECR.
About the program
AAANZ is developing a new mentorship program to provide support and community for PhD and ECR in Art History and Theory across Australia and New Zealand. Mentoring may focus on work-life balance, grant writing, juggling caring duties, teaching, writing and publishing journal articles, work place issues or other career related issues.
The Pilot Early Career Mentoring Program will bring together established art historians, theorists and writers, with ECR, who are seeking advice and guidance towards their academic and professional goals. Through informal one-on-one meetings in 2024, this program seeks to enable the exchange of knowledge, build rapport and foster an open atmosphere between mentors and mentees.
AAANZ is currently seeking expressions of interest for mentors and mentees. Based on these applications, AAANZ will match a mentor to a mentee. As a mentee, you will receive guidance and support from an established academic in the field. As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with the next generation of art historians, thinkers, and writers.
Interested Mentees and Mentors are asked to complete an Expression of Interest form which will be reviewed by a panel. Places are limited and not everyone will be successful in securing a place. The mentoring program will commence in February 2024 and conclude in November 2024. During the program, the pairs are expected to meet every four to six weeks with a minimum of six meetings over the nine month period. Meetings can take place in person or online.
Through this program we will prioritise participants who may be underrepresented in art history, and/or who may face structural barriers in academia. This may include, but is not limited to, applicants who identify as First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQIA+, regional/remote based, people living with a disability.
The Mentoring Relationship
The mentoring relationship can build confidence, challenge unhelpful beliefs and develop new skills, knowledge and perspectives. Mentoring can help a mentee identify beliefs that may be holding them back, provide an opportunity to voice fears, and consider the impacts those fears may have on their career.
A mentor provides support, knowledge, encouragement, guidance, and constructive feedback to a mentee by sharing a genuine interest in the development of the skills, knowledge and experience of the mentee.
The mentor and mentee will need to have agreed goals for the program. These will be shared and agreed at the first meeting. These goals will articulate what the mentee hopes to achieve through the mentoring program.
At the end of the program each individual will be required to complete a survey as a means of assessing the pilot program for future applications.
Eligibility and Conditions
The Pilot Early Career Mentoring Program is open to current PhD students and Early Career Researchers. For the purposes of the program we define “Early Career” as up to five years after the conferral of a PhD, not including career interruptions (including but not limited to caring responsibilities, unemployment or precarious employment, disability or medical conditions).
Participants are partnered according to their professional development interests and goals.
Mentees must be a current AAANZ Member. You can register here
Expressions of Interest
Please fill out the online Expression of Interest form by Monday 4 September and attach a current CV.
Expression of Interest – Mentor
Mentors will ideally have a minimum of seven years’ experience in a senior role in a university, gallery, museum or other cultural institution. Mentors will have excellent communications skills, particularly listening skills, a desire to contribute to the development of emerging leaders, and the time to commit to a one hour meeting each month for the duration of the program.
Please consider these questions when filling out this form
- Why you wish to become a AAANZ Mentor? What are your key goals?
- Describe your interests, both professional and personal
- What particular skills, experiences, or areas of expertise, can you bring and share as a mentor?
- Is there any other information you would like prospective mentees to know as part of the matching process?
Expressions of interest close Monday 4 September
For enquiries about the mentor role please contact Wendy Garden
Expression of Interest – Mentee
Mentees will be individuals focused on learning and developing their skills, who are willing to commit fully to the learning and development process. They must be willing to accept advice and committed to taking action to further their skills and knowledge.
Please address the following questions when filling out this form
- Why you wish to participate in the program? What are your key goals?
- Describe your interests, both professional and personal
- Do you have any important preferences when it comes to matching you with a mentor?
- What areas would you like to focus on with your mentor?
- Is there a particular project would you wish to workshop or develop with your mentor throughout 2024?
- Is there any other information you would like prospective mentors to know as part of the matching process?
Expressions of interest close Monday 4 September
For enquiries about the mentor role please contact Soo-Min Shim
Other Information
Meetings
Mentors and mentees will meet monthly for a one hour session. However, it is important that both parties put aside time to prepare and plan for the meeting in advance.
The mentee is responsible for contacting the mentor to organise a time and place for the first (and subsequent meetings) that is suitable for both parties. It is recommended that where possible mentors and mentees meet face-to-face at a public venue or virtually via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
During the program, the pairs are expected to meet every four to six weeks with a minimum of six meetings over the nine month period. Meetings can take place in person or online.
During meetings, mentors and mentees may discuss:
- Career aspirations and pathways to get there
- Self-awareness
- Skills or knowledge gaps
- Approaches to networking
- Work/life balance
- How to learn organisational culture
- Feedback that has been received from a manager or colleague.
Cessation of the relationship
It is recommended that the mentee and mentor agree to work together for at least 12 weeks (three months). If issues arise during that time and the relationship falters, rather than end the meetings, it is advised that both parties endeavour to see this as a challenge and an opportunity to grow. However, after this time, if the relationship is still not working, the parties may elect to terminate the agreement. At this time, either party may contact the AAANZ Mentoring Representative and the relationship will be ceased.
Conflict resolution process
Where a conflict arises that cannot be negotiated by the two parties, either or both parties may contact the AAANZ Mentoring Representative Soo-Min Shim to discuss any issues.