eument-net – a trans-national perspective on best practice in mentoring Helene Füger Coordinator eument-net Head of equal opportunities, University of Fribourg Aarhus International Conference, May 2009

Rrm, H.Füger Overview eument-net project Title: Building a European Network of Academic Mentoring Programmes for Women Scientists Call: FP Science-and-Society-17 Duration: 21 Months (Jan.07 – Sept.08) Coordinator: University of Fribourg, Switzerland Countries involved: A, BG, CH, D Homepage:

Rrm, H.Füger Aims of eument-net initiative Promote women’s careers in academia and research, by building a network of mentoring programmes: ^ Exchange of experience among mentoring programmes and definition of standards ^ Transfer knowledge on mentoring, especially to countries with no/little experience with mentoring ^ Define means and long-lasting structures of cooperation ^ Network programmes and stakeholders & put mentoring on science policy agenda

Rrm, H.Füger Project partners Réseau romand de mentoring pour femmes University of Fribourg, CH Mentoring Deutschschweiz University of Berne, CH Mentoring Programm MUT Universities of Mannhaim / Stuttgart, D Mentoring Programm muv University Vienna, A Institute for Philosophical Research Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BG Advisory board: F, D/IE, SL, UK

Rrm, H.Füger Activities and milestones Surveys ^ Electronic survey ^ Focus group interviews in Bulgaria Expert-workshops ^ Four 2-day workshops International conferences Pilot cooperation international mentoring exchange Guideline manual (English & Bulgarian) Electronic platform Statutes of eument-net association (1st GA Nov 08) Policy recommendations

Rrm, H.Füger Results from Surveys Disparity of availability of mentoring for women ^ North/ West – South/ East Europe ^ Countries w. high spending and low share of women vs low spending and more women Reasons ^ Lack of infrastrucutre, lack of ressources and support; novelty of mentoring The Bulgarian example ^ 18% women professores in 2006 ^ Decrease in attractivity & brain drain ^ Mentoring percieved as interesting instrument

Rrm, H.Füger Eument-net expert workshops A tool to exchange experience and best practice taking into account specific contexts ^ Detailed preparation by organisers ^ Inputs by participants ^ Expert moderation ^ Expert inputs ^ Working groups ^ Post-preparation: workshop report and documentation

Rrm, H.Füger Relevant factors for implementation of gender specific mentoring EU-level National government/ administration Local/ state government/ administration Organisational/ institutional level “Agents”/ stakeholders Beneficiaries (potential mentees/ mentors)

Rrm, H.Füger Quality standards for mentoring programmes Part of gender equality policy Focus on personal and career development Outside hierarchical relationships Professional coordination Transparent admission criteria and procedure Clear role and requirements of mentee and mentor Confidentiality policy Monitoring and regular evaluation. Training activities and coaching

Rrm, H.Füger Elements for discussion Need for long-term evaluation and (comparative) research Need for debate and research on gender specific vs mixed programmes Impact of structural transformations of academic/ research landscape? ^ Bologna Reform; Competition (Excellence Initiative; etc.)

Rrm, H.Füger Conclusions Mentoring is a valuable instrument to fostering women‘s careers. Networking, exchange of best praxis and debate among mentoring programmes on a European level is important to contribute to an integrated European Research Area that favours gender equality.