The purpose of the PGR Peer Mentoring programme is to provide PGRs with a trained mentor with whom they can have supportive, non-judgemental conversations about their experiences of postgraduate research, as well as their professional and career development. PGR peer mentors can advise mentees about community and development within PGR study. Discussions may include: building networks; personal organisation and workload management; working effectively with supervisors; balancing work and life commitments and managing the demands of personal and professional responsibilities.
The scheme is designed to benefit both mentees and mentors. For mentees, it offers valuable support and a sense of connection. For mentors, it provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. More broadly, the initiative reflects the principle of ‘students as partners’ in higher education, strengthening collaboration and mutual support within the PGR community.
In previous years the scheme has run once a year, from January to June. In 2025/26 we will be establishing a pool of mentors, who we will work to match with mentees from November onwards. This will ensure that all students can benefit from a mentoring relationship as soon as possible after enrolment. Mentors will be supported by regular wellbeing drop-in sessions and check-ins with the RIDA team.
This briefing will explain how the programme works and how you can apply to be a mentor/mentee.