STEMskiller: Skill Set Map for Mentors of Early Career Researchers
CAREER MANAGEMENT: Leadership and teamwork
Self-efficiency ("independence") and academic perseverance
Definition:
Academic perseverance is a topic of scholarly inquiry[1] and is—in recent years—often considered in relation to the broader umbrella of “student success.”[2] For early career researchers aiming to have academic careers, discipline and perseverance are essential qualities, if they aim to achieve this goal. Mentors may need to aid some mentees with their academic perseverance skills; the resources below provide a starting point for this.
[1] https://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=0&q=%22academic+persistence%22&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&as_ylo=2016
[2] https://library.educause.edu/topics/information-technology-management-and-leadership/student-success
Useful Self-efficiency resources:
Byars-Winston, A., Rogers, J., Branchaw, J., Pribbenow, C., Hanke, R., & Pfund, C. (2016). New measures assessing predictors of academic persistence for historically underrepresented racial/ethnic undergraduates in science. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 15(3), ar32. https://www.lifescied.org/doi/pdf/10.1187/cbe.16-01-0030
While geared towards understanding how science education can become more inclusive, this article provides a useful literature review and a “lens” through which at-risk mentees might be considered by mentors in a new light. Table 1 provides a list of survey scale items (and specific questions) which could be applied to any institutional context for those wishing to conduct similar studies for any population.
Moon T, Kaile T, Nzala S. (2019). Effective mentorship in research. PEER Liberia Project. https://doi.org/10.13028/ghcr-6d10
Presentation noting (slide 2) that good mentorship can “[strengthen] decision-making around academic persistence and degree attainment.” Describes how to create a “mentoring philosophy,” outlines characteristics of effective mentors and mentees, lists common problems, and an overarching goal: independence of the mentee from the mentor.
Includes proceedings from a 2017 meeting (“Ethical and Inspiring Mentorship in STEM”). Summaries of discussion (including Twitter chat), format, talks, and workshops.
Tags: All IPS; all PSR; all IAL; CompGS; CompTS
Peer Review: None
Table of contents:
- 3.2.1. Managing for researchers
3.2.2. Project management
3.2.3. Decision making: crucial factors, processes and approaches
3.2.4. Conflict management
- 3.2.6. Social responsibility/taking on responsibility
3.2.7. Sustainable mobility strategies based on international cooperation
3.2.8. Intercultural collaboration skills: acting successfully in an international academic environment (includes international awareness, international communication)
Author: Stephanie Krueger
Peer Reviewer(s): None
Last Updated: October 28, 2021