The University of Winnipeg’s Research Office launched a new pilot program that supports early-career researchers by pairing them with established mentors.
To me, this is a no-brainer; you have absolutely nothing to lose, and so much to gain.
Félix Mathieu
This year, 25 mentees were paired with accomplished researchers who have been successful at securing provincial, national, and international research grants.
Dylan Jones, Program Officer, Canada Research Chair Advisor and Special Initiatives, sees the pilot program as a win-win situation.
“This is not only a great opportunity for the mentee to learn from an experienced and successful faculty member, but it is also an opportunity for the mentor to learn from sharing their own experiences and knowledge,” said Jones.
A participant in the program, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science Félix Mathieu, jumped at the opportunity to become a mentee.
“To me, this is a no-brainer; you have absolutely nothing to lose, and so much to gain,” said Dr. Mathieu. “Good practices are worth sharing, and younger scholars will always benefit from receiving advice from more established colleagues.”
Dr. Aaron Moore, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, has been mentoring Dr. Mathieu, helping him with grant proposals for his research on mobilizing the theoretical and analytical framework associated with multinational federalism. He encourages other senior researchers to become mentors.
“Do it. There is clearly a strong demand for mentorship among our newer colleagues, and I believe UWinnipeg’s established faculty have a wealth of knowledge and experience to impart to them.”
The program offers flexibility, leaving scheduling entirely up to the mentor and mentee. Some pairings have even formed cross-mentorship group meetings, extending their knowledge and expertise into other fields and subfields.
The research office hopes to expand the program in the coming years. “I am looking forward to receiving feedback from the participants, which I will use to improve the program,” said Jones.
If you would like more information about the program contact Dylan Jones at d.jones@uwinnipeg.ca
