“Community” – “eye-opening” – “support” – “strength” – these are some of the words that gradually pop up on the screen. Daniela Becker started the online event by asking: “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your experiences with the mentoring programme?” The participants are able to scan a QR code and enter the word that comes to mind. It takes less than a minute for the screen to be quite full. “Oh, that’s quick,” says Daniela Becker laughing, while words continue to appear. She reads out a few of them: “Networking, multidisciplinary research... and therapy, wow! That’s some great feedback.”

Supporting women in academia through mentoring

Daniela Becker coordinates the Women Forward Mentoring Programme within the Humboldt network, which is designed to match women who are at the start of their academic career with experienced mentors. The first round took place between April and September 2024, and 103 women took part in this pilot phase. The goal of the programme is to bring together and strengthen women in academia.
The participants of the programme are having their final virtual meeting on a Friday afternoon in September. They speak English, as they are from various parts of the world, such as Ethiopia, Brazil, Romania and Nigeria. Together they look back on this first round, reflect on what they have learned and talk about their wishes for the future. Mentor Elsa Varela and mentee Hermela Lakew were the first to speak.

International participants and their experiences

Elsa Varela has a PhD in Sustainable Forestry Management and is currently doing research on socio-economic sustainability of agricultural and forestry systems at the University of Göttingen. She is a and a member of the National Research Council in Spain.
“Thank you for this opportunity!” says Elsa Varela. “This type of programme is often considered only from the mentee’s perspective, and it tends to be overlooked how rewarding it can be to be a mentor.” She continues by saying that she received excellent support at the start of her career herself, and that this was why she had decided to take part in the programme as a mentor: “I want to pass on what I received.” Women in particular can benefit from this type of programme, she explains, as they are often more hesitant than men and can come across as less confident and proactive. She adds that this is why it is all the more important to develop a support network. “Being successful in academia is not only about doing a good job – soft skills are just as important.”

“I have learned to communicate clearly, to approach people and to confidently make decisions.” – mentee Hermela Lakew

Elsa Varela points out that she also learned a lot from her mentee: “Hermela is a very courageous researcher.” Elsa Varela says that she was touched and impressed by the quick and targeted way in which Hermela Lakew is working towards promoting her research.
Hermela Lakew, the mentee, is an economist and currently doing her PhD at the Free State University in South Africa. Her research is dedicated to analysing complex systems that contribute to food security in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, she was awarded an by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation that enabled her to cooperate with the German Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research.

“That was my first experience as a mentee,” says Hermela Lakew, smiling at the camera, she adds: “I didn’t know what to expect.” She joined the programme, hoping to enhance her research skills and expand her network. She discussed this with Elsa Varela right at the start. The two women went on to meet regularly, and they prepared specific questions and problems they wanted to discuss. “Elsa always said: ‘Nobody can do more for your growth and potential than you.’” This sentence has made a lasting impact on Hermela Lakew.

She says that the programme was a real turning point for her, as it helped her to learn to communicate clearly, to approach people and to confidently make decisions. “I was able to speak to Elsa openly, it was a safe space. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.” Heart emojis keep popping up in the chat windows of other participants as she is saying this last sentence.

Future outlook of the mentoring programme

Further mentees speak about their experiences after this, and one participant highlights the role of this type of programme that is for women only: “I come from a strongly male-dominated environment, and everyone is very competitive. You don’t even have lunch together or go for a walk. I was really longing for this type of support, and that is exactly what I got here. I wasn’t only able to speak about work-related topics with my mentor, we also talked about what it is like to be a mother.”

There is also room for feedback in the online meeting, to help make the mentoring programme even better in the future. One participant points out that she would appreciate additional networking among mentees in her discipline, to allow for exchange on specific topics, for example.

Flexible approaches and individual connections

The women approached the mentoring programme in a range of different ways. Some organised very structured meetings, as described by Elsa Varela and Hermela Lakew, while others preferred a more spontaneous approach. A few pairs spoke a lot about opportunities for getting further scholarships and grants. Some mentees wanted their mentors to read their academic texts and give them feedback. It was entirely up to the participants to structure their contact with their match.

All women who speak during the online event express their gratitude to the organisers. Gratitude seems to be the central theme of the event – dozens of participants leave chat messages at the end: “Thank you, Daniela” and “Thank you, Humboldt!”