Mentoring Program
The Franklin Women Mentoring Program is a sector-first cross-organisational and structured 6-month program that combines informal mentoring sessions with formal sessions facilitated by experts in inclusive leadership.
It aims to support mid-career women working in the health and medical research ecosystem progress into leadership positions. It also provides current leaders the opportunity to develop their mentorship skills as well as increasing their awareness and skills in building diverse and inclusive teams, and workplaces.
In 2024 our Mentoring Program will be delivered in NSW and ACT (refer to details below).
“I have examined my leadership style, sought more feedback and changed my mentoring style to be more questioning.”
“The program provided a framework for thinking about my big picture goals in terms of career progression and personal values. Importantly, it made me set aside time to consciously think about these, which would otherwise never have happened.”
“Having a leader I respect take time out of their life to listen to me and to act as a voice in rooms that I could not be in. That is invaluable.”
Demonstrating Impact
A formal impact evaluation of the program published in 2021 highlighted the tangible benefits that participation has on mentees, mentors and their organisations.
Franklin Women is proud to deliver an initiative that is having such a positive impact, not only on individuals but also the wider culture of the health and medical research sector.
What sets us apart?
Professionally Facilitated
Our Mentoring Program is delivered in collaboration with leadership consultants who are experts in developing women for leadership roles and inclusive leadership training.
Connecting Across Organisations
Our Mentoring Program connects mid-career women with leaders from different organisations and roles, through a highly-detailed matching process. In 2023, we were proud to welcome 27 Participating Organisations in NSW and also in the ACT.
Professional Development
In addition to informal mentoring, our Mentoring Program includes facilitated events and workshops for both mentees and mentors over a 6-month period. These events will provide training in career development, inclusive leadership and mentoring.
How to participate
What is unique about our Program is that organisations sign-up to participate and then nominate staff/students who will take part as mentees and mentors (refer to eligibility criteria below). Since its inaugural year in 2017, the Franklin Women Mentoring Program has connected more than 570 mentees and mentors from 30 different organisations across the health and medical research ecosystem in NSW and the ACT.
Franklin Women also sponsor a mentee place for women who are not from a Participating Organisation. Click on the ‘Information for Individuals’ tab below for more information.
Please refer to the 2024 Mentoring Program Flyers for the workshop schedule in Sydney and Canberra.
Eligibility Criteria
The Franklin Women Mentoring Program is targeted to mid-career women who are aspiring to leadership roles within the health and medical research ecosystem (either in an academic or non-academic capacity). This specific career stage has been chosen based on evidence that it is when the proportion of women decline relatively to men. We welcome mentors of any gender into our program which is critical in engaging all leaders in the importance of mentoring and inclusive leadership.
The mentee and mentor participation criteria are outlined below:
MENTEES
An individual who identifies as a woman whose work contributes to improving health outcomes. This can be in academic or non-academic capacity and in any discipline (e.g. laboratory, public health, clinical research, health technology, medical engineering etc).
A minimum of 8–10 years professional experience (not limited to professional experience post-PhD acknowledging many individuals commence post-graduate study after working in the sector). This typically equates to University B-C (or research scale equivalent).
Has the capacity, availability and commitment to work with a mentor for the entirety of the program. Flyers with key dates are available above.
MENTORS
An individual of any gender who has demonstrated significant experience in the health and medical research ecosystem at a leadership level, either in a research, academic or executive capacity.
A minimum of 15 years professional experience and currently in a leadership role (in research or other role in the sector).
Has the capacity, availability and commitment to work with a mentee for the entirety of the program. Flyers with key dates are available above.
Previous Participating Organisations
