1 Mentor Programme for Women Doctoral Students at NTNU Svandís Benediktsdóttir Equal Opportunity Advisor Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Fourth European Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education Oxford Brookes University 31 August – 3 September 2005 Mentorprogramme at NTNU

2 Norwegian University of Science and Technology 7 Faculties and 35 Departments students, half of these studying technology or natural sciences 45 per cent of NTNU´s students are female 700 students from abroad 3300 staff. Over half in academic positions Annual budget 2800 million NOK (350 million €)

3 Women Leaders at NTNU University Board, 5/11= 45 % Deans, 1/7= 14 % Professors, 88/626= 14 % Associate Professor, 125/424= 29 % Department Heads, 4/50= 8 % Directors, 2/6= 33 % Faculty Directors, 2/7= 28 % Office Managers, 18/25= 42 %

4 NTNU´s Equal Opportunity Programmes and Projects 2005 Start–Up Funding( NOK) € Qualificationstipend ( NOK) € Mentor Programme ( NOK) € Women and Technology ( NOK) € Activity Funding ( NOK) € Women-Carrier-Culture Project ( NOK) € ______________________ Total( NOK) €

5 Mentor Programme Format Since 2003 Mentors (Professors, Women and Men) Mentorees (Women Doctoral Students) Pairs (Mentor and Mentoree) Duration, The Academic Year

6 Pair Examples Mentorees Departments Energy and Process Biology Social Medisin Cultural Studies Architecture Cancer Research Civil Engineering Material Technology Mentors Departments Modern Foreign Langagues History and Classical Studies Archeology Chemistry Laboratory Medicine Material Technology Neuromedicine Sociology and Political Science

7 Activities Start-Up Meeting, August 2004 Conversation Between Mentoree and Mentor Each Month Network Meetings for Mentorees Each Month Programme Seminar, Mentorees and Mentors, Once Each Semester Programme Seminar, Mentorees, Three Times Each Semester Programme Evaluation and Closing Meeting, May 2005

8 Programme Board Dean, Faculty of History and Philosophy, Petter Aaslestad Faculty Director, Faculty of Medicine, Anne K Cartfjord Doctoral Student, Lise Randeberg, IME Faculty (Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering) Division Director, Trond Singsaas Equal Opportunity Advisor, Svandís Benediktsdóttir

9 Experience….. Dialog Between Mentor and Mentorees has Worked Well Coupling Across Fields of Study has Worked Quite Well Mentorees Received Support, the Support Gave Strength Mutal Benefits to Mentoree and Mentor Network Meetings Highly Appreciated by Mentorees Mentor Prioritice Conversations With Mentorees Usefulness and Interest for Themes at Programme Seminar Varies

10 Experience….. Good Role Models Gives Best Results Important That Mentoree Group is Alike (Have Same Challanges) Programme Seminars Confirm That Individual Challenges are not Unique Many of the Mentorees Have Increased Understanding of Own Career Development Both Mentors and Mentorees Wish a ”Reunion” Within One Year

11 CultureRecognition University Culture (Patterns and Processes) are Made by Men for Men Men Recognize the Culture Easier than Women, Therfor Easier for Men to Suceed Women Must Work Harder for Recognize the Culture, Therfore More Difficult to Succeed Mentor Programme Gives Women an Opportunity to Better Recognize the Culture, to Succeed Quicker

12 CultureCHANGE Increased Number of Women Researchers and Professors Will Change the University Culture With Time Changed University Culture Means That Greater Number of Women Succeed Women Prioritize Differently from Men and Select Different Research Topics More Equal Opportunity for Women Contributes to More Balanced Research and Development

13 Ambassadors Mentors and Mentorees Act as Ambassadors for Equal Opportunity Mentors Obtain Insight Into Women´s Reality at University Mentorees Learn New Ways to Succeed in Academia Mentors and Mentoees Disseminate Their Experiences Further

14 Concluding Remarks Mentor Programme Organized Each Year With Pairs From Different Departments Core of Mentor Programme is the Good Conversation Between Mentoree and Mentor Several Types of Programme Seminars and Network Meetings Organized Qualitative Programme Evaluation Confirms Good Results