SciLux podcast – Prof. Simone Niclou and Prof. Andreas Fickers, on academic mentoring

17 October 2023

Mentoring is one of the fundamental aspects of building and driving a positive and inclusive research culture, contributing to the development and growth of a responsible and diverse group of researchers who contribute to research with impact.

Through her function as Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Simone Niclou has made academic mentoring one of the pillars of the university’s career development and support strategy. As for Prof. Andreas Fickers, Director of the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH), he received the FNR Award for Outstanding Mentor in 2021.

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More about mentorship in Luxembourg academia

Mentoring experiences can be personally transformative. Good mentorship goes beyond professional development, shaping individual scientists, impacting on scientific careers, as well as passing along positive research values such as research integrity, scientific credibility and fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment.

Overall, it provides aspects of psychosocial and career support, and may include role modelling, counselling, and helping mentees develop a support network of other mentors and peers. A mentor does not only guide and help people grow – they also teach them how to be a good mentor. If a researcher has the benefit of a great mentor, chances are they will pass on many of the good approaches learned to others, improving the research ecosystem for everyone and supporting the success of everyone involved.

University of Luxembourg’s ADVANCE mentoring programme

Women are underrepresented at academic roles, and many women perceive advantages for men in career opportunities or allocation of resources and workload. In this perspective, having access to an experienced mentor is of significant advantage to make informed choices.

ADVANCE is a mentoring program to support academic careers and equal opportunities at the University of Luxembourg. Mentoring is a learning relationship, involving the sharing of skills, knowledge, and expertise between a mentor and mentee through developmental conversations, experience sharing, and role modeling. Mentoring schemes are a prominent instrument already established in the top European universities to promote women and early-career researchers.

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With a new episode every 2 weeks published on RTL Play, ‘SciLux powered by Research Luxembourg’ will showcase research activities and scientific cooperation in the Grand Duchy.

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