BES Facebook pageThe BES Mentoring Scheme
The BES runs a mentoring scheme for women in ecology. Women at an early stage in their career are matched with those at a more senior stage.
The scheme is facilitated by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
The scheme is open to all women who are members of the BES, apart from PhD, Masters and undergraduate students.
The 2011 Scheme
**Applications for the 2011 scheme are now closed. Please check again in early 2012 for details of future schemes.**
Background
A survey conducted at the BES Annual Meeting in 2007 showed that in ecology, as in other sciences, there are issues around the representation of women in senior academic positions. All respondents to the 2007 survey recognised a gender imbalance in ecology at senior levels and 68% were in favour of “affirmative action” to address this (Gender in Ecology, Bulletin 38:4, 51-62).
The BES recognises that encouraging women to remain in ecological careers, all the way to the top, is Society business. One of our high level strategic aims is to “Develop ecological science and scientists”, through creating and fostering the next generation of ecologists.
We believe that better retention of women in ecology will lead to the creation of a more diverse, stimulating and talented research community, in an inclusive and positive working environment.
Why mentoring?
The benefits of participation in a mentorship scheme, for both mentors and mentees, are summarised by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) in the Mentoring Good Practice Guide:
“Mentoring provides a safe, confidential environment for women in SET to explore work, career and sometimes personal issues. This gives both parties the opportunity to compare notes and gain reassurance that they share similar experiences. Women in SET who are mentored report increased confidence, self-esteem and motivation. Mentoring can provide women with a role model if she is given a more senior female mentor.”
“Mentoring also benefits the mentors. They can develop capabilities in developing others outside of their own department or team and also have the satisfaction of seeing another person develop and grow.”
Feedback from participants
The BES has run a mentoring scheme since 2009. Feedback from past participants has been very positive:
A mentor says: "Two mentees have now got permanant jobs - I was able to offer specific advice on interview techniques, applications etc. which I hope was helpful. Also was able to offer advice on a range of other isses that arose"
A mentee says: "The main benefit is support, and also to get the chance to discuss and plan my career. Otherwise you spend much time doing work, but not thinking about what you want to do later on, and how to get there."
Our partner: the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET
The scheme is facilitated by the UK Resource Centre for women in SET.
The UKRC have set up and run many other successful mentorship schemes for corporate partners and other learned societies. Here you can see details of the successful schemes the UKRC has facilitated at the Geological Society and British Pharmacological Society.
Picture credit: Adam Seward, BES Photographic Competition entrant, 2007
