Mentorship

One of the primary challenges faced by students and scholars of colour pursuing work in Early Modern cultural and historical studies in the UK is the lack of access to inclusive support systems and knowledge bases that are necessary for navigating academic and professional life.

The EMSOC Mentoring Scheme in partnership with the Society for Renaissance Studies is one way that the network hopes to address this challenge. We are now inviting applications from graduate students and scholars at various career levels to join the scheme as either a ‘Mentee’ or a ‘Mentor’ in order to foster productive relationships that will see scholars of diverse backgrounds receiving the necessary guidance and care that will allow them to thrive in their research work. It is our hope that the EMSOC and SRS Mentoring Scheme will help to ensure that Early Modern studies and related disciplines in the UK will retain scholars of colours and from underrepresented backgrounds, and help to produce the transformations that are urgently needed in academic and cultural institutions across the UK.

We recommend that mentors and mentees meet for three 40–45-minute meetings over an academic year with some form of brief written or verbal feedback. Sessions can occur online or in person. Meetings can be target-driven, such as the mentor offering support for a mentee who is preparing an article for publication and/or offer pastoral guidance. The mentor and the mentee will determine the parameters of the mentorship and the mentor will be required to attend one online training session.

This scheme particularly welcomes diverse applicants regardless of their background. Applications from scholars of colour and candidates currently under-represented in academic posts are strongly encouraged. The Mentoring Scheme also welcomes applications from candidates who have a disability or long-term health conditions. We can provide documents in large print, audio and other formats when required.

Many thanks to EMSOC members Shani Bans, Wendy Lennon, Hassana Moosa, Nour El Gazzaz, Hanh Bui and Hannah Crawforth and SRS members Masuda Qureshi and Rachel Willie for their work on this project.

Please use the links below to find the relevant application forms and FAQs.