Peer mentoring women in STEM: an explanatory case study on reflections from a program in Jordan

ABSTRACT

Women in STEM are underrepresented and face challenges in balancing work and family. Therefore, mentoring is an important career intervention that focuses on individual’s well-being and professional career. This study introduces a voluntary, flexible, context-sensitive and informal peer-based mentoring model. Twenty-six female STEM professors from Jordanian universities participated in the program for an academic year, self-identifying as mentors/mentees, creating a unique mentoring network across institutions. This case study uses multiple data sources to illustrate opportunities and challenges inherent in the model. Most participants found the program enriching, exciting and a challenging learning experience. Mentors reported increases in self-confidence and satisfaction derived from contributing to the academic community. Mentees emphasized their continuous learning and improved prioritisation skills. Both reflected on the importance of peer-mentoring for women in academia. The flexibility and organic growth possibility of the model is promising and holds important implications for policy makers and practitioners for future implementation.

KEYWORDS:

• Peer mentoring
• women
• stem
• Jordan
• evaluation

Acknowledgments

This study resulted from the Partners for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) project: “ Three Circles of Alemat: Creating Collaborative Multicultural Networks for Women in the Sciences “ (project number 3047 Jordan) which was realized in collaboration with the Global Women Scholars Network funded by the US National Science Foundation (project number RCN-SEES NSF 1140182) PI Bowser, Colorado State University.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Partners for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER), under the title, Three Circles of Alemat: Creating Collaborative Multicultural Networks for Women in the Sciences (project number 3047 Jordan).

Notes on contributors

Rana Dajani

Rana Dajani Ph.D. molecular cell biology, Harvard Radcliff fellow, a Fulbrighter, Eisenhower fellow, Professor, Hashemite University, Jordan, Yale and Cambridge visiting professor. Member UN women Jordan advisory council. Established a women mentor network, received PEER award 2014. Most influential women scientist in Islamic World, 12 among100 most influential Arab women 2015, women in science hall of fame 2015, King Hussein Cancer Institute for cancer and biotechnology award 2009 and 2016 Global Changemaker Award IIE/Fulbright. Awarded the HM King Abdullah II Jordan star of science

Zeena Tabbaa

Zeena Tabbaa. Ed. D. Education Specialist and Qualitative Education Researcher. Projects included institutional development, research and documentation and capability assessment. Member of Board of Trustees of Jordan University. Cofounder and President of NGO Hayat Tayybah Society.

Amneh Al-Rawashdeh

Amneh Al-Rawashdeh, an Assistant Faculty in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations at Yarmouk University. Her research focus on capacity building, gender issues, and reforms in higher education.

Ulrike Gretzel

Ulrike Gretzel is a Senior Fellow in the Center for Public Relations at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on the role of technology in shaping human experiences.

Gillian Bowser

Gillian Bowser is an associate professor in the department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on diversity and inclusion in natural resource fields.