Mentoring Australian Emerging Researchers in Aging: Evaluation of a Pilot Mentoring Scheme

Abstract

A survey of Australian emerging researchers in aging identified the need for greater professional development and networking opportunities. To address this, a formal mentorship scheme was developed and evaluated. Fourteen postgraduate researchers (protégés) were matched by discipline and research interest to experienced academics (mentors). Evaluation revealed that participants were satisfied with the mentoring relationships, frequency of communication, and with the scheme overall. Participants also felt the scheme had important benefits for protégé development. This study shows that formal mentoring can promote professional development among emerging researchers in aging. This may prove a useful strategy for enhancing capacity building in gerontology.

Notes

*Note, participants used multiple forms of communication.

**Statements were evaluated using a four-point response scale—e.g., from not important to very important. The above percentages relate to those participants who responded using the top two levels—i.e., important to very important. The responses reported above relate to those barriers or relationship factors rated as most important to protégés and/or mentors.