UFAW Mentoring Partnership
UFAW is expanding its Mentoring Partnership. We invite those who think they may benefit from the scheme, as either a Mentor or Student, to please complete the form below.
Download a leaflet about the scheme here.
UFAW is committed to supporting the development of animal welfare science worldwide. We are especially keen to ensure that animal welfare science develops in areas where it has yet to become firmly established. One way in which UFAW achieves this is through supporting the next generation of animal welfare scientists.
Not all students have ready access to the help and resources required to plan a scientific research proposal. Providing guidance in project planning and experimental design to individuals early-on in their careers will help to ensure that the work that they wish to undertake, and the methodology that they use, will lead to meaningful and scientifically valid findings.
In an effort to address this issue, UFAW is expanding our new mentoring scheme, piloted in 2020/21, Mentors will be paired with Students wishing to be mentored. Mentors will predominantly be early career researchers (ECRs) with a strong background in animal welfare science who have the capacity, time, and willingness to support the Student. Students will mainly be at undergraduate or masters level (including those studying veterinary medicine) interested in carrying out animal welfare research (although they do not have to be animal welfare students).
The aim of the scheme is to pair a Student with a more experienced Mentor who can then guide and support the Student in the early stages of project planning to ensure that their project (whether experimental, survey, or other) has a solid scientific foundation. UFAW anticipates that the pairing will prove beneficial to both parties:
Mentor:
- Opportunity to gain experience of supervision, a skill they are likely to find highly useful later in their career
- Obtain credit as UFAW Mentor for their CV
- Learn about the culture in another country or a different research area/department
- Forge international connections
- Gain experience of an area of research that may differ slightly from their own work
Student:
- Improve knowledge on experimental design
- Forge international connection with ECR from another faculty/country
- Improve likelihood of publication
- Potential for publishing with international colleague
- May encourage students to become supervisors and mentors themselves, thus further expanding animal welfare science capacity
Unsure whether to take part or not? Let our previous Mentors and Students inspire and encourage you...
2021 Mentee: “I have learned valuable lessons on how to write a project proposal, conduct research and finally produce results. I also learned how to relate with people through interacting with my mentor. I am grateful for the time they offered to help me build my research proposal…This is a very great opportunity to venture into the research world as mentors can open doors to other opportunities!! I encourage all students with interest in animal welfare to take it up”.
2021 Mentee: “I think this was a great opportunity to learn more about the very broad field of animal welfare science and how different researchers approach problems such as designing an experiment. I also had the opportunity to attend my first conference (Advancing Women in Agriculture) because of my mentor as she recommended it to me”.
2021 Mentor: “The exchange with my Mentee was very helpful in improving my mentorship skills and learning more about animal welfare research at another University. We also informed each other about conferences and workshops. I think the contact with my Mentee will continue, and I look forward to meeting her in person”.
2021 Mentor: “Mentoring a student is always a learning experience. I would say go for it! Get to know about other group’s skills, improve your own communication skills and your mentoring style. It is very fulfilling to empower someone else who is trying to find their way and gain experience in the field. It is also a great way to give back and contribute in building the community of animal welfare scientists”.
Advice for future Mentors from previous participants:
“If you can spare 1-2 hours a week, apply! You can improve your teaching and supervising skills. You will learn a lot on animal welfare science in other countries and cultures. And last but not least: helping someone, seeing someone grow is very rewarding”. (Mentor 2020/21)
Advice for future Student Mentees from previous participants:
“Just apply! There are scientists out there who have struggled with the same things as you; they create a very positive atmosphere and are eager to help. Plus, it is a great chance to build your scientific network; mentors may know about interesting conferences, internships, PhD positions etc.” (Mentor 2020/21)
“This mentoring scheme provides an invaluable source of support needed for students willing to build a career in animal welfare science. It provides an avenue to give you the needed push to be a great scientist”. (Student 2020/21)
If you would like to ask more about the scheme, then please email: carter@ufaw.org.uk.
