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Data from 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 iterations
Goal
The aim of the programme is to support the progress of researchers by facilitating direct peer support. We connect students and budding professionals with Mentors who have progressed further in their careers. Mentors offer guidance on relevant aspects of professional development tailored to the goals established in each mentoring pair.
For mentees at early career stages, Polonium Mentoring enables a strong start towards a successful future and offers guidance during pivotal stages in further career development.
Mentors, 2023/2024
The programme also includes support of more experienced researchers and those who are considering a career switch into the industry or business settings.
We strive to ensure steady guidance and support for participating mentors and mentees.
How do we pair people together?
Each pair of Mentor-Mentee is matched based on the information provided in their application forms.
Pairing criteria differ from case to case and can include current or desired:
field of work
career path
location
skills
other commonalities and preferences
Who can participate?
To become a Mentor you should be at the doctoral student level or above (especially for pairing in the academic path). Highly experienced and impactful Mentors will be considered regardless of educational status. We are recruiting Mentors from different backgrounds - academia, industry, or business.
You can become a Mentee at all stages of your career.
The programme is global and we welcome every scientific discipline to join. We especially encourage participants from social and political sciences that constituted the lowest percentage of attendees in the previous years.
You can be a Mentor and a Mentee in the same time!
Global outreach
Polonium Mentoring brings together people located all over the world, including Polish and non-Polish participants, to form an international community.
Through casual gatherings like Coffee Mornings and Afternoon Teas, our programme provides chance for networking and making valuable connections.
data based on 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 iterations
Polonium Mentoring is a global mentoring programme connecting scientists and industry professionals in various disciplines and at all career stages.
The Polonium Mentoring programme has successfully completed three editions - 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. To learn more, visit the Past Iterations section.
How is the application structured?
In principle Mentors are recruited first. Once we select a suitable set of Mentors, collect their bios and display them on Polonium Network (Polonium Foundation indexing and networking platform), we begin the recruitment of Mentees.
Mentees are offered the chance to select their preferred Mentor; however, the final pairing is at the discretion of the Polonium Mentoring Team based on the pairing criteria.
Occasionally, we might enlist more Mentors to ensure the pairing criteria of specific mentees are satisfied.
Additional benefits of the programme
As a mentor, you can get a certificate to add mentoring to your CV, and you have a chance to win the Mentor of the Year award, which is subject to mentees’ nominations. To thank you for volunteering in our programme, we feature you on our social media and can promote your activities.
Additionally, each participant of the programme can attend one of the events (meetups, conferences) organized by the Polonium Foundation, free of charge!
Polonium Mentoring statistics - 2022-2023 and 2023-2024
Community Partners:
Special thanks to the Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom for providing invaluable guidance and supporting the launch of Polonium Mentoring
Supporters:
Special thanks to Laurie Wessels (an Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant and Trainer) for being a substantial support for the Mentoring Programme and providing training for our Mentors and Mentees.