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 high-potential women in health and medical research careers progress into leadership positions, retaining their skill in the sector. It also provides current leaders the opportunity to develop their mentorship skills as well as increasing their awareness of the value of a diverse and inclusive workplace and the role they play in achieving this.
“Since participating in the program, I am now encouraging diverse thinking in my team.”
“The Franklin Women Mentoring Program has been the most rewarding and productive activity I have undertaken in a long time.
It has opened my horizon to a whole new range of possibilities and given me tools to take back to my roles to have a positive engagement with others.”
“An excellent program. I acquired lifelong skills. A wonderful confidence booster. The tools and frameworks have been useful particularly having a structured program with regular “workshops” to reflect/regroup.”
Demonstrating Impact
Since its inaugural year in 2017, the Franklin Women Mentoring Program has connected more than 430 mentees, and mentors from over 25 different organisations, across the health and medical research ecosystem.
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
We believe that women in health and medical research careers deserve the same high-quality professional programs that are available to women in other sectors. Our Mentoring Program is delivered in collaboration with leadership consultants Serendis, who are experts in developing women for leadership roles.
Connecting Across Organisations
Our Mentoring Program connects mid-career women with leaders from different organisations and roles, through a highly-detailed matching process. In 2022, we were proud to welcome 17 Participating Organisations in NSW and also in the ACT.
Professional Development
Franklin Women is committed to providing women in the health and medical research sector with professional skills outside of the technical sciences. Our Mentoring Program includes facilitated events and workshops for both mentees and mentors over a 6-month period. These events will provide training in resilience, inclusive leadership and mentoring.
How to participate
Our Program is unique in that organisations in the sector sign-up to participate and then nominate staff/students who will take part, as mentees and mentors. We also sponsor a mentee place for women who are not from a Participating Organisation.
For more information and key dates, please refer to the 2023 Mentoring Program Flyers for Sydney and Canberra.
Eligibility Criteria
The Franklin Women Mentoring Program is targeted to mid-career women who are interested in, or have the potential to, assume leadership roles in our sector. This specific career stage has been chosen based on evidence that it is when the proportion of women working within the health and medical research sector declines 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
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 who has demonstrated significant experience in the sector 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
