New podcast to provide digital mentoring tips for early career researchers
A new podcast launches this week to bring digital mentoring and career development advice to early career researchers in the life sciences. The ‘Your Digital Mentor’ podcast aims to kickstart the conversation around mentoring and other aspects of research culture, with a special focus on low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
The series is a collaboration between the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences (ACSC) and Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health (SESH). The series will comprise 12 40-minute episodes, on subjects ranging from finding a mentor, to equality and diversity in science, to decolonizing global health.
The first episode, which will discuss the mentoring experience, will air on 5 August 2020 with guests Dr Grace Mwaura (African Academy of Sciences) and Dr Andres Lescano (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Johns Hopkins University). All episodes will be available on Soundcloud, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
“During my career I have had some amazing mentors who have helped me develop in so many ways. But it took me a few years to learn to ask for mentorship when I needed it, which is one of the things we’re hoping to address. We want all researchers to recognise and have access to the benefits of a good mentor, especially those in low and middle-income countries where mentorship opportunities may be harder to find.”
Dr Christine Boinettcreator and Executive Producer, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences (ACSC)
The series will interview mentors, mentees, students, researchers, public health professionals and clinicians to talk about their experiences as mentors or mentees. Each episode will focus on a key topic, including mentorship skills, relationship building, networking tips, Equality and Diversity in Science, and Women in STEM. Discussions will include expert advice in subjects of growing importance in disease research and global health.
“Genomic sciences and bioinformatics are revolutionising healthcare, yet there is a need for more expertise and mentorship in low and middle-income countries to ensure that medical advances benefit all. This is a huge challenge, but initiatives like the Your Digital Mentor podcast can certainly help early career researchers to access the knowledge and experience that will help them to excel.”
Dr Fredros Okumuguest on the “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” episode and Director of Science at the Ifakara Health Institute
“There are many wonderful mentors in science, but there are also aspects of research culture, such as diversity and researcher wellbeing, which we must all strive to improve. Mentorship is vital to overcoming the personal challenges created by this environment, and to support people to create wider change, so I’m delighted to be taking part in the Your Digital Mentor podcast.”
Dr Beth ThompsonHead of Policy & Advocacy (UK and EU) at Wellcome and an upcoming Your Digital Mentor guest
More information
To listen to the Your Digital Mentor podcast trailer and find out more about the programme, including ways of listening, visit: https://coursesandconferences.wellcomegenomecampus.org/event-type/your-digital-mentor-podcast/
Selected websites
About Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences
Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences funds, develops and delivers training and conferences that span basic research, cutting-edge biomedicine, and the application of genomics in healthcare. Working with internationally-renowned scientists and healthcare professionals, we run events at the Wellcome Genome Campus and in low- and middle-income countries that aim to educate, inspire, and transform careers. Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences is part of Connecting Science. www.wellcomegenomecampus.org/coursesandconferences
The Wellcome Sanger Institute
The Wellcome Sanger Institute is a world leading genomics research centre. We undertake large-scale research that forms the foundations of knowledge in biology and medicine. We are open and collaborative; our data, results, tools and technologies are shared across the globe to advance science. Our ambition is vast – we take on projects that are not possible anywhere else. We use the power of genome sequencing to understand and harness the information in DNA. Funded by Wellcome, we have the freedom and support to push the boundaries of genomics. Our findings are used to improve health and to understand life on Earth. Find out more at www.sanger.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and on our Blog.
About Wellcome
Wellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive. We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research. We are a politically and financially independent foundation. https://wellcome.org/
