Mentoring Programme

Mentoring Programme for ECRs

The mentoring programme of the German Association for the Study of English aims to connect Early Career Researchers (ECRs) within the association—specifically doctoral candidates and researchers in the early postdoctoral phase—with more experienced academics. This initiative is intended to support ECRs in their professional and scholarly networking and to create opportunities for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experience between mentees and mentors.

The programme stipulates that mentees and mentors meet twice over the course of one year, either digitally or, where possible, in person. Mentoring conversations must be treated as strictly confidential by both parties, as outlined in the mentoring agreement. Mentees are responsible for taking the initiative in organising the meeting dates and planning the structure and content of the mentoring sessions. Mentors should make appointments available as early as possible and, if necessary, provide a meeting space. The programme is launched each summer by means of an email call to all association members.

The mentoring programme aims to support doctoral candidates and researchers in the early postdoctoral phase in establishing networks within the association and to facilitate an informal and institutionally independent exchange of experience with mentors. This may take the form of academic dialogue, but may also include discussions on topics such as career planning, networking, compatibility of career and family, work–life balance, publication strategies, or external funding. The programme is open to all members of the association.

Mentors do not need to be professors. As long as mentors have completed their doctorate and have gained some experience in research and teaching, the requirements for a productive mentoring relationship should be met. Mentoring may involve academic dialogue as well as discussions on topics such as career planning, networking, balancing career and family, work–life balance, publication strategies, or external funding. Mentors do not need to be members of the association to participate in the programme. After completing the programme, mentors will receive a certificate from the association confirming their mentoring activity.

Melissa Schuh, ed.leik-inu.kitsilgna@huhcs