Entering Mentoring

by Pfund, Christine; Branchaw, Janet L.; Handelsman, Jo

• ISBN13: 9781464184901
• ISBN10: 1464184909
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-01-31
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman

Summary

Tailored to the primary mentors of undergraduate researchers in any STEM discipline, Entering Mentoring is designed for those who wish to implement mentorship development programs for academic research.

Author Biography

Christine Pfund, Ph.D. is a researcher at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW).  She currently works for several programs across the UW campus including the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, the Center for Women’s Health Research and the Delta Program in Research, Teaching, and Learning.  Chris’ work has focused on preparing current and future faculty to be effective teachers and research mentors.  Over the past nine years, Chris has been integrally involved in developing, implementing, documenting, and evaluating a training seminar for research mentors.  She has co-authored a manual for facilitators of this seminar, Entering Mentoring, and co-authored a paper documenting the effectiveness of this approach. Chris has led a project to adapt and enhance Entering Mentoring for use across science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.  Most recently, Chris has led the effort to adapt the research mentor training curriculum for use with mentors engaged in clinical and translational science.  Dr. Pfund is currently involved in a randomized research study to test the impact of research mentor training on both mentors and mentees and a study to develop a better understanding of specific factors in mentoring relationships that account for positive student outcomes.    

Janet Branchaw is a Faculty Associate at the University of Wisconsin--Madison's Center for Biology Education.  She earned her B.S. in Zoology from Iowa State University and her Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Wisconsin--Madison.  After completing postdoctoral training and a lectureship in undergraduate and medical physiology at the University of Wisconsin--Madison's School of Medicine and Public Health, Janet joined the University's Center for Biology Education.  Her work at the Center focuses on developing and supporting undergraduate students for graduate school.  She developed and directs two National Science Foundation--funded undergraduate research programs; a 10-week summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates program that hosts students from around the country, and a three-year Undergraduate Research and Mentoring program that prepares students in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines for interdisciplinary graduate training across the biological sciences.  In connection with this work she collaborates with the Delta Program for Research, Teaching and Learning and the Wisconsin Program for Scientific Teaching to train pre-faculty and faculty mentors of undergraduate researchers.  In addition to her work in undergraduate research, Janet also teaches introductory biology.

 

Table of Contents

Contents

Foreword     ix
Preface     xi
Acknowledgments     xiii

Curriculum Overview     1 
Content     2
Format     3
Implementation: Facilitating Research Mentor Training     4
Learning Objectives     6

1 Introduction to Mentor Training      9
Introduction     9
Learning Objectives     9
Facilitation Guide    10
Introductory Activities: Ways to Help Participants Get to Know One Another     13
Constructive and Destructive Group Behaviors     15
Questions to Consider When Writing a Mentoring Philosophy     16
Reading: Mentoring: Learned Not Taught     17

2 Aligning Objectives     27
Introduction   27
Learning Objectives   27
Facilitation Guide    28
Case Study: The Sulky Undergraduate    31
Examples of Mentor-Mentee Compacts     32
Mentoring Tool: Research Experience Expectations    41
Mentoring Tool: Research Experience Reflections    42
Mentoring Tool: Letter of Recommendation    43
Mentoring Tool: Roles for Your Research Matter    44

3 Promoting Professional Development     45
Introduction    45
Learning Objectives    45
Facilitation Guide    46
Examples of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for Discussing Development and Career Plans    49
Case Study: To Be or Not to Be a PhD     54
Mentoring Tool: The Next Step in Your Career: Factors to Consider    55

4 Maintaining Effective Communication    57
Introduction    57
Learning Objectives    57
Facilitation Guide    58
Case Study: The Slob     61
Mentoring Tool: Reflecting on Your Mentoring Relationship    62

5 Addressing Equity and Inclusion     63
Introduction   63
Learning Objectives    63
Facilitation Guide     64
Diversity Study Results    68
Case Study: Is It OK to Ask?    70
Reading: Benefits and Challenges of Diversity     71

6 Assessing Understanding     83
Introduction    83
Learning Objectives    83
Facilitation Guide    84
“Assessing Understanding” Scenarios     87
Mentoring Tool: Your Research Group’s Focus     88
Mentoring Tool: Scientific Article Worksheet    89
Mentoring Tool: Research Project Outline & Science Abstract     91

7 Fostering Independence     93
Introduction     93
Learning Objectives     93
Facilitation Guide     94
Case Study: Ready Mentee     97
Case Study: The Slow Writer     97
Reading: Mentoring Research Writers     98

8 Cultivating Ethical Behavior      105
Introduction     105
Learning Objectives     105
Facilitation Guide     106
Case Study: Tweaking the Data     108
Case Study: Plagiarism?     108
Case Study: A Big, Strong Guy     109
Case Study: A Drive in the Country     109

9 Articulating Your Mentoring Philosophy and Plan      111
Introduction     111
Learning Objectives     111
Facilitation Guide     112
Mentoring Reflection Worksheet     115

Appendix: Introduction to Facilitation     117
Role of Facilitators     117
General Notes on Facilitating a Group     118
Group Dynamics: Suggestions for Handling Challenges     119

About the Authors     121