🎓 Results of the Mentoring Scheme 🌟

The mentoring program, which involved 13 mentoring pairs and a total of 26 individuals, proved to be highly successful. Over the course of a year, it provided valuable peer-to-peer support and guidance. While some mentoring relationships were newly formed, others were further strengthened, creating lasting connections that extended beyond the COST Action LGBTI+ Social and Economic (in)Equalities project. 🌈

🎯 Objective

The primary goal of the mentoring scheme was to present LGBTI+ research as a viable career path for PhD students and early-career researchers, who often found it challenging to pursue. This objective was achieved by creating an online presence on our website, featuring well-established and published scholars who were available for mentoring and guidance. 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫

🌈 Purpose

The mentoring program successfully created a dynamic and supportive network among researchers from diverse academic backgrounds. It empowered early-stage researchers and fostered sustainable, creative relationships between scholars involved in LGBTI+ studies, contributing to enhanced academic and non-academic career trajectories. 🚀📚

📋 Mentoring Activities

During the mentoring program, participants engaged in various activities, including:

• 📝 Developing personalized research plans
• 📄 Assisting with academic paper writing and publication
• 🔍 Enhancing research skills and methodologies
• 💼 Navigating recruitment and career advancement processes
• 💰 Preparing and submitting grant applications
• 🏳️‍🌈🛡️ Managing and responding to queer-hostile environments in research contexts

🏆 Outcomes

The mentoring program yielded excellent results, including:

• 🎯 Supporting capacity building in demographic inclusiveness within science and technology networks
• 🌍 Increasing representation of early-stage researchers and newly established research groups
• 📈 Establishing LGBTI+ research as a credible and accessible career path for younger scholars
• 🤝 Strengthening collaborations and fostering continued support among mentoring pairs beyond the program’s duration

🤗 Summary

The mentoring program demonstrated that strong, inclusive networks can be formed through strategic guidance and collaboration. Mentors and mentees were able to build meaningful relationships, and the program significantly contributed to the growth of a more diverse and supportive research community focused on LGBTI+ issues. The results of the mentoring program have left a lasting impact on both participants and the broader academic community. 🌐🤗