Gender Mentoring Agency
Fostering talents – promoting careers
Men and women have different occupational biographies and entry possibilities in academia. Many of these differences are based on structural disadvantages for women. In order to support women in the pursuit of an academic career, the University of Cologne has instituted a Gender Mentoring Agency.
The Gender Mentoring Agency’s task is to promote exceptionally talented female undergraduate and graduate students and to provide assistance in the concrete planning and realization of the necessary career steps. The Agency wants to provide long-term support and mentoring during the mentee’s entire study or research program at the UoC.
Goals
- promoting women's careers in academia by identifying outstanding undergraduate and graduate students early on (admitted to the program on the recommendation of a professor or lecturer or by means of an unsolicited application)
- long-term support for outstanding talents during their study and research programs at the University of Cologne
- implementing semi-informal mentoring as a combination between a structured mentoring program and the more prevalent tradition of individual advancement in academia
- networking among and further training for academic leaders and lecturers to reflect on their roles as career facilitators and gatekeepers in the promotion of young female scholars and scientists
- establishing mentoring as a career development tool at the University of Cologne
Our Offer for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
- individual and demand-oriented workshops and consultations as well as regular network meetings
- financial support for conference participation
- individual advice and consultation
- mentoring guideline with documentation templates
Offers for Academic Leaders and Lecturers
- mentoring guideline with documentation templates
Admission Requirements for Students and Doctoral Candidates
Ask a professor or lecturer to recommend you for the program or send us an unsolicited application.
Admission requirements: You wish to pursue an academic career, have an excellent academic record, are well trained in research methods, have good social skills, are highly interested in your discipline, but can also look beyond it, and are ambitious.
Participation Requirements for Academic Leaders and Lecturers
- share your experience by serving as a mentor
- recommend talented female undergraduate and graduate students for the program
- act as a mentor for the student you propose
- independent of serving as a mentor in the program, you can take part in our peer coaching offer as well as our training and networking activities
Workload and Costs
Depending on which model you choose, you will need to commit between two and eight hours per quarter to the program.
To sign up, please fill out the registration form or write an informal email to Katrin Pieper, Department 43, Academic Staff Development.
Participation is free of cost.
Besides the mentoring partnerships, accompanying workshops and network meetings for mentees, the program encompasses a target-group-specific offer for academic leaders and lecturers allowing you to network and develop your professional skills in your role as a mentor, career developer, and gatekeeper. We cordially invite all interested persons to contact us.
