The Academic Mentoring Learning Exchange Day aims to foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing on academic mentoring practices across different departments within the School. By acknowledging the diverse models of academic mentoring, this event seeks to:
- Facilitate a comprehensive review of the strategies and approaches employed by various departments, highlighting their strengths and challenges.
- Discuss the value and impact of academic mentoring on students, academic staff, and professional development.
- Create a platform for collective reflection and dialogue on overcoming the challenges associated with academic mentoring.
- Explore and share innovative practices and resources that can enhance the mentoring experience, aligning it with the evolving needs and demands of students.
The event will feature a diverse array of presenters, including academic mentors, student advisors, and researchers in the sector, offering a wide range of perspectives on academic mentoring.
The first panel, led by Megha Krishnakumar from the Law School, Kasia Krajniewska from the Department of Economics, and Paulette Annon from the Department of Management, will introduce the models of academic mentoring within their respective departments and share some of the practices they have in place. These presenters are active members of our Community of Practice on Academic Mentoring.
Additionally, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department Dr Suki Ali and Claire Tomlinson will present the model adopted by the Department of Sociology. The Department has been revising their model, and this presentation will provide an opportunity to reflect on practices across various departments and facilitate a comparative analysis.
To bring external perspectives, we have invited two keynote speakers who will share their experience in implementing different models of academic mentoring in other universities, as well as research on good practices.
- Professor Arne Hofmann, who is Director of Global Learning and Teaching at SOAS University of London, will present on 'Freedom in a Framework': A Framework for Departmental Personal Tutoring and Academic Support Plans".
- Dr Ben Walker, who is Senior Lecturer in Educational Development at Oxford Brookes University, will delve into the learning and challenges of installing a policy on Academic Advising at the institutional level and how it applies to the Higher Education Sector more broadly.
This event will provide a holistic overview of academic mentoring practices, informing the need for continuity, adaptation, and innovation in different aspects of the mentoring process. By fostering a shared understanding and collective commitment, the Academic Mentoring Learning Exchange Day aims to enrich the mentoring experience for both students and faculty, and we look forward to seeing you there.