Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC) has recently launched a pilot Reciprocal Mentoring Scheme, which offers a unique opportunity for both early career and established colleagues to play a mentoring role.
Reciprocal Mentoring recognises the value in what both parties can bring to one another and provides dedicated time for colleagues to share their lived and working experiences, to support each other’s learning and progression objectives.
This scheme, delivered jointly by the OH BRC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team and the Training & Career Development Team, will support up to three pairs of mentors with the aim to:
- Provide an early career / emerging member of the OH BRC with an ‘Established Mentor’ to guide and advise on them on their career development.
- Provide a more experienced / established member of the OH BRC with an ‘Emerging Mentor’ to increase their awareness of the challenges and potential barriers for those in the earlier stages of their career.
To be eligible, colleagues must be in a role supported by the OH BRC up to 31 March 2026.
Applications are welcome from both academic and professional services colleagues and the EDI and Training & Career Development Teams particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups.
Mentors will agree development objectives and a way of working that suits them, and will be supported by the OH BRC up to September 2026.
Additionally, the pair can access up to £1000 to spend on development-related activities. For example, attending a conference or training.
Lizzie Carline, EDI Project Manager said: “The reciprocal nature of this scheme offers an exciting opportunity for established colleagues to gain valuable insight into how to draw on the strengths of their diverse workforce and better understand barriers to academic development for those at a disadvantage.
“Reciprocal Mentoring is an increasingly popular approach to broaden dialogue between colleagues and to improve the equity of opportunity across organisations. There have been some positive outcomes from similar schemes in other university settings.”
Andreia Costa, Training & Career Development Project Manager said: “This scheme is about more than mentoring, it’s about recognising the unique perspectives each person brings and using that to support career development in a truly inclusive way.
“We hope this pilot will not only support individual development but also help shape a more equitable and reflective research culture across the OH BRC.”
Please see the OH BRC Reciprocal Mentoring Scheme outline for more details.
Interested colleagues are asked to complete this OH BRC Reciprocal Mentoring Scheme sign-up form by end of day on Tuesday 30 September.
Contact Lizzie or Andreia for more information: training.ohbrc@psych.ox.ac.uk
