Academic Mentoring for Women Program (AMW)

An Academic Mentoring for Women* (AMW) program is commencing at the University of Adelaide in 2024. Thirty mentor/mentee pairs will be supported through the inaugural AWM program, with the anticipation this will be representative of all three faculties. 

*Identify as a woman or gender diverse

Aims

The aim of the AWM program are fourfold:

  1. empower academic staff who identify as women to progress towards career fulfilment,
  2. support women to identify and clarify their career aspirations and goals,
  3. equip the participants with skills and strategies to steer their career in the direction of their choice,
  4. identify personal and institutional barriers which prevent women achieving career progression and satisfaction,
  5. to support mutually beneficial mentoring relationships to assist career development, and progress towards an inclusive and supportive workplace culture for all academic staff.

The program

  • Foundation workshop (3 hours)

    Date: Thursday 28 March 2024
    Time: 9.30am - 1.00pm
    Location: Room 5.04 and 5.05 Ligertwood Building, North Terrace Campus

    The first 1.5 hours combines mentors and mentees, with a further 1.5 hours for mentees only. 

    First 1.5 hours

    • Why mentoring? Individual reflection on purpose of Program participation. 
    • Mentoring roles: understanding the different roles mentors can play. 
    • Mentoring skills: reflecting on own communication strengths and tendencies, and practising the communication skills that underpin an effective mentoring relationship. 
    • Exploring the impact of the dominant culture, gender stereotyping and gender dynamics in the workplace on career progression and experiences. 

    Second 1.5 hours

    • Individual and group reflection on individual approach to career navigation thus far. 
    • Identifying personal and professional aims and aspirations for the Program. 
    • Identifying mindsets and actions required to make the most of the Program experience. 
    • Responsibilities of mentee in driving mentoring relationship. 

  • Interim catch up (1 hour)

    For mentees: Tuesday 30 July 2024, 9.30am - 10.30am
    For mentors: Tuesday 30 July 2024, 11.00am - 12.00pm
    Location: Hughes Building Room 111a, North Terrace Campus

    An opportunity to discuss the mentoring program and any issues which have arisen, and to start the process of gathering collated/anonymised feedback about obstacles to career progression and fulfilment for academic women at The University of Adelaide. This information will be used to inform future reform for the current university and Adelaide University, and refine the AMW program.

  • Completion workshop (2 hours)

    Date: Tuesday 26 November 2024
    Time: 9.30am - 11.30am
    Location: Helen Mayo South SG20

    The fiirst hour is for mentees only, the second hour is for both mentees and mentors. 

    First hour

    • Reflect on learnings, actions taken and skills developed as a result of Program participation. 
    • Begin to craft an ongoing Development/Action Plan to maintain progress, deepen learnings

    Second hour

    • Share individual learnings (both mentors and mentees) - particularly in relation to gender-based obstacles and challenges to career fulfilment/progression - and celebrate diverse successes. 
    • Progress gathering collated/anonymised feedback about obstacles to career progression and fulfilment for academic women at The University of Adelaide. This information will be used to inform future reform for the current university and Adelaide University, and refine the AMW program.

Eligibility

  • Mentees

    Eligibility to participate as an AWM mentee:

    • academic staff member on a fixed term or ongoing contract (employed until at least 31 December 2024) of the University of Adelaide that identifies as a woman. We welcome applications from all campuses and will do our very best to find mentors for all those who are accepted into the 2024 program.
    • available to undertake the mentoring program between April and November 2024,
    • able to attend all in-person sessions (attendance is compulsory).

    Apply now

  • Mentors

    Eligibility to participate as a mentor:

    • any gender,
    • academic staff member on a fixed term or ongoing contract (employed until at least 31 December 2024) of the University of Adelaide
    • available between April and November 2024
    • able to attend all in-person sessions. 

    Apply now

How to apply

Applications for mentors mentees open from 1 March 2024 and up to 30 of each will be accepted. 

Applications close on Friday 15 March 2024.

As part of the application process, mentees can identify up to two people they would prefer not to be matched with (this information will remain confidential).

Mentee application form

Mentor application form

Anna Lee

Facilitator

Workshops are facilitated by Anna Lee from Leed Consulting and Hacks for Her. 

Anna has extensive experience in supporting women to navigate their careers in complex and fast-changing environments.

While she knows that  social and cultural change are key to diminishing the role of gender in career identity, opportunity, experience and trajectory, she also believes that equipping women with the skills to navigate workplaces that were designed for and by men is both pragmatic and necessary.