Mentoring scheme launched for female academics

Despite increasing numbers of women taking up posts over the last 20 years, the world of academia remains largely a male domain. To address that gender imbalance, and to offer Dundee's female academics the chance to raise their profiles and positions, a new cross-institutional mentoring scheme with St Andrews University has been launched at the University. Co-led by Lorraine Walsh, Director of Academic Professional Development, the network has already paired up more than fifty of Dundee’s female academic community as mentors and mentees.

The scheme was launched at an event at Dudhope Castle, attended by Professor Madeleine Ennis of the School of Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast. Professor Ennis established a similar scheme for female academics at QUB and was the keynote speaker at the launch event in Dundee. She spoke about the benefits that the scheme has brought to QUB, including how it has encouraged senior women to provide support and guidance to their more junior colleagues in a number of ways such as developing research ideas, seeking funding, teaching and administration.

Lorraine said, "It is hoped that the scheme will support female academics in their career planning and development, encourage and develop self-confidence and promote a sense of community in the University."

Places are still available for more female academics to join the scheme. The next networking meeting will take place on 26 May at the Gateway, St Andrews, where the guest speaker will be Professor Christine Hallett, Principal, Stirling University. For more information contact Lorraine on (34) 5530, l.walsh@dundee.ac.uk