Do you want support in developing yourself, looking at your research area from a different perspective or expanding your research network?
The mentoring program is aimed at FICAN West cancer researchers.
It brings together clinical and basic research researchers at similar career stages. Participating in the program offers the opportunity to develop one’s own expertise, gain new perspectives on one’s research topic and expand both the social and professional cooperation together with a mentoring pair. This mentoring program is now implemented for the second time within FICAN West and its goal is to strengthen our own regional cancer research.
The mentoring program starts on October 24, 2024, and the application period is from September 9 to September 29, 2024.
The mentoring program consists of:
- from the joint opening seminar in Oct 2024
- one-on-one meetings of the mentor pair (5-6 times during the mentoring period)
- from the interim get-together meeting in Jan 2025
- from the joint closing seminar in April 2025.
Introduction to the mentoring program
How to apply?
Next application call: 9.9.2024 – 29.09.2024
Researchers focusing on cancer research from both clinical and basic/translational research groups can apply for the mentoring program. You can apply for the mentoring programme even if you are not currently doing research yourself. Then, an interest in research and a willingness to share your knowledge and learn from others are required.
Apply by filling in the electronic form (link below). In the application form, you will tell about yourself and characterize and describe the person of which kind you would wish your mentoring partner to be. Based on the application, the program organizer gets an idea of you, your interests, and what you expect from the mentoring program. The organizer team willl take efforts to find you a suitable pair among the other applicants or externally. A CV (.pdf) is saved as an attachment to the application form.
There will be a maximum of 6 pairs for this round of the mentoring programme, so not all applicants will necessarily be accepted. If you do not make it, you are welcome to apply again next time.
When registering, please note that participation in the 2024 program requires participation in the opening seminar on October 24, the intermediate get-together meeting on January 21, 2025 and the closing meeting on April 29, 2025 as well as active interaction with your mentoring partner (usually 5-6 meetings during the program).
>> Link to the application form
The questions on the application form are in English. The answers to the form and the CV can be written in either Finnish or English. The form asks separately about the preference to participate in the mentoring program in English and/or Finnish.
Mentoring in action
The stages of mentoring
The application for the 2024 mentoring program for cancer researchers is open from 9.9.2024 – 29.9.2024 (application form). The pairs will be matched in October 2024, and those participating in the program will receive information about their pair in mid October.
The program will start on October 24, 2024 with an introductory seminar for mentor pairs. In the introductory seminar the focus will be on getting to know your pair, agree on common rules for mentoring and get some ideas for a successful mentoring process. The pairs receive a mentoring guide to support their work, which contains activating tips and other information about mentoring. The structure of the mentoring program for cancer researchers differs from the traditional mentor-actor type of mentoring. In this program, pairs of equal experience are formed, one from the basic or translational research and the other from the clinical research background.
Together, the mentor pair searches for topics and themes that both want to address during the process and together they create a plan for their work. At the very beginning, it is especially important to discuss the goals of mentoring for both parties. The pair works independently but the process is supported all the way by the support team of the FICAN West.
Over the course of six months, the mentor pairs arrange regular one-on-one meetings on their own, and discuss the themes they agree on together.
At the end of the mentoring cycle, the entire program is reflected. The duration of the mentoring program is about half a year. The mentor pair can, of course, continue meeting each other outside the program if they wish.
The mentoring program includes at least three meetings common to all, which are attended by all pairs and coordinators participating in the program:
Opening meeting (instructions for the mentoring program and getting to know the pair)
Interim get-together meeting (exchange of experiences and peer support from other pairs)
Closing meeting (reflecting on the entire process and gathering ideas together)
In addition to these meetings, theme seminars can be organized according to the wishes of the participants.
Meetings of mentoring pairs
Between the joint seminars, the mentoring pairs meet each other regularly.
In order to get enough benefit from mentoring, we recommend that couples meet at least five times. On average, mentoring pairs meet 5-6 times during the program. Couples agree on their meeting schedule independently. It’s best to agree on times well in advance, even at the first meeting.
It is worth sticking to the agreed meetings, as constant cancellations can weaken the motivation of the parties to maintain the mentoring relationship. Mentoring is based on a bilateral interaction relationship, the cornerstones of which are mutual openness, trust and commitment.
Mentoring pairs are allowed to shape their way of meeting and working, and choose the meeting place that suits them best. It has been found to be a good practice, for example, to wrap the conversation around certain themes at each meeting.
You should also reserve enough time for the meetings, about one and a half to two hours. The most common meeting places have been at either’s workplace, cafeteria and university’s general facilities, but the framework of the meetings is limited only by imagination.
Mentoring pairs can also visit each other’s units or even combine meetings around a common interest unrelated to research and work, such as fishing, cycling or a walk.
What is expected from the participants in the mentoring
Mentoring is a voluntary activity where working experts share their experiences and support each other in thinking about working life and professional development.
Peer-mentoring is based on an equal interaction relationship, where the mentor pair shares knowledge and experiences from work. The goal is to support learning at work and strengthen well-being at work. In the mentoring program for cancer researchers, it is also central that one of the pairs comes from the clinical and the other from the basic research group. Here the goal is to get tacit knowledge forward and used, develop research work practices and make different work cultures familiar. A mentoring relationship is built on mutual openness, trust and commitment.
Mentoring pairs:
- encourage and support each other in relation to working life, the future or skill development.
- develop their own interaction and cooperation skills.
- share their knowledge and experiences from working life.
- support the couple in creating networks.
- ask questions and give their partner space for their own reflection and handling of issues.
- give constructive feedback and present their own point of view.
- are interested in learning new things.
At its best, mentoring gives you:
- in matters related to the interlocutor’s work and working life.
- a clearer understanding of your own work and competence.
- increases work motivation.
- feel good about supporting another.
- new information and fresh perspectives on your own work.
- new networks.
- new interaction, control and management skills.
- a good connection to the regional cancer research network
How much time does participating take?
Each mentoring pair plans their meeting program independently. According to our experience:
- mentoring pairs meet 5-6 times during the mentoring program.
- the duration of meetings is usually approx. 1.5 hours.
- some of the meetings can be replaced by e.g. phone or on-line conversations.
The mentoring program includes three seminars common to all participants, the duration of which is 1-2 hours.
The rules of the game for mentoring
The rules of the game are one of the most important things that the mentoring pair should agree upon right at the beginning of the process.
With the help of the rules, the parties know what the other expects and requires, and how to act in different situations. Both also know their own responsibilities, duties and tasks in the process.
Agree at least on these:
- Meetings: How often do we meet? How long at a time? Where shall we meet?
- Themes: Are the themes of the meetings agreed together in advance or do you choose the themes in turn and announce them before each meeting?
- Communication: How do you communicate with each other between meetings?
- Roles: The roles and responsibilities of the parties in the mentoring relationship.
More information on mentoring in general
Contact information
Mentoring team: ficanwest@varha.fi
Coordinator: Mervi Toriseva, mertor@utu.fi
