YCEDE One-To-One Mentoring Programme (Mentees)

YCEDE invites postgraduate researchers (PGRs) from Black, Asian, and ethnically minoritised* backgrounds to join our new cohort of mentees for the 2024/2025 PGR Mentoring Programme. This programme offers a unique opportunity to connect with a trained mentor for personalized support, guidance, and professional development.

Registration is now open for interested postgraduate researchers who would like to become a YCEDE mentee. Please find full details of the YCEDE PGR Mentoring programme below.

What is the YCEDE PGR Mentoring Programme?

  • One-to-one mentoring: Engage in six one-on-one mentoring sessions over six months with a dedicated mentor.
  • Personalized support: Discuss your research experiences, career goals, and challenges in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
  • Training and development: Benefit from online training sessions that cover mentoring practices and YCEDE’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Who is eligible?

To participate, we ask that you identify as Black, Asian or ethnically minoritised and are a home (UK-domiciled) student currently enrolled as a doctoral researcher at a YCEDE institution. This programme is open to PGRs in any year of their doctoral programme. 

We ask that interested PGRs can commit the following to the programme:

  • Be able to meet with their mentor 6 times between November 2024 and April 2025. Meetings can be held online or in person, and we would suggest having an expectation of each meeting being approximately an hour in duration. 
  • Be able to attend our online training, which forms part of our support to both mentors and mentees. This includes an induction to the programme and mentoring practices and bespoke YCEDE EDI Training sessions (totalling 5 hours).
  • Are committed to providing feedback to the programme. 

Who are the YCEDE mentors?

YCEDE mentors are research staff (postdocs, research fellows etc.), academic staff and professional service staff who hold a PhD and have lived experience, research experience or awareness of the cultural context of underrepresented groups in higher education. 

All mentors will have undertaken training prior to becoming a YCEDE mentor. Both mentors and mentees are offered continued support throughout the programme.

Why join?

  • Gain valuable insights: Learn from experienced mentors who have navigated similar career paths.
  • Build your professional network: Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional network.
  • Enhance your skills: Develop essential skills for academic success and career advancement.

Induction workshops are being held on Wednesday 16th October 10:00 – 12:00 or Tuesday 29th October 14:00 – 16:00. The bespoke YCEDE EDI Training sessions are being delivered on Friday 18th October 09:30 – 12:30 or Wednesday 30th October 12:00 – 15:00. You only need to attend one of each sessions. It is advised to complete the induction workshop prior to the EDI training session. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you would prefer to take part at a later date please complete this form so we are able to contact you to participate in future rounds.

How to register?

Please register by filling out this form.

We welcome further questions by email to mentoring@ycede.ac.uk

*We use the term Black, Asian or ethnically minoritised student respectfully, although we know there are issues with this term. We recognise the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the cultural and ethnic identity of people within what is defined as Black, Asian and ethnically marginalised.