The Science of Mentorship

Dec 01 2021 22 ep. 16 mins 38
The Science of Mentorship Podcast artwork

Mentorship is essential to the development of anyone in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine, but did you know mentorship is a set of skills that can be learned, practiced, and optimized? In this 10-part series from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, you’ll hear the personal mentorship stories of leaders in academia, business, and the media, in their own words. Learn how evidence-based mentorship practices can help you develop the skills to engage in the most effective STEMM mentoring relationships possible. If you are a mentor, a mentee, or have a role in mentorship, this podcast is for you.

  Education  Science
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The Science of Mentorship: A STEMM Podcast

Jan 05 2021 2 mins  
In this series from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, you’ll hear personal stories about mentorship experiences from STEMM leaders, in their own words, to help you learn how evidence-based mentorship practices can help you develop the skills to engage in the most effective mentoring relationships possible.

Inclusive Environments: Finding Support When Isolated

Jan 14 2021 14 mins  
In this episode, Dr. Barabino shares how she responded to a lack of mentorship, where she found supportive networks, and how she’s creating inclusive environments so that marginalized students don’t have to face the same obstacles.

Opportunity: Giving Access to All Students

Jan 21 2021 21 mins  
In this episode, Dr. Michael Summers shares how positive mentoring experiences led him to his current position, how he worked to provide access and opportunity through the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, and what he’s doing to help other universities implement programs and practices to support marginalized students through academia and beyond into their STEMM careers.

Multiple Mentorships: Equipping Students For All Situations

Jan 28 2021 14 mins  
In this episode, Dr. Akiko Iwasaki tells the story of her journey through STEMM academia and beyond as a woman from Japan. There were times she was discouraged from continuing her studies, but supportive mentors guided her through difficult situations with both emotional and technical support. Dr. Iwasaki shares about these experiences and how they shaped her approach to mentoring

Mutual Benefits: Constructing Great Futures Together

Feb 04 2021 16 mins  
In this episode, Dr. Jedidah Isler tells her story of how her career in astrophysics shaped her development and approach to mentorship. Through times of consistent support and in times where support lacked, Dr. Isler discovered what effective mentoring is. Dr. Isler shares about the obstacles marginalized students face in higher education, the different roles of mentors, and how ef

Go Further: Guiding Discovery of Passions

Feb 11 2021 19 mins  
Theoretical physicist Dr. Jim Gates was often the only African-American in the physics departments in which he worked and learned. In this episode, he tells his story of discovering his passion in physics and how effective mentors throughout his life supported him through what could’ve been insurmountable obstacles. Professor Gates also shares how important it is to actively seek

Institutional Barriers: Implementing Effective Mentoring Practices

Feb 18 2021 15 mins  
Biochemist Dr. Keith Yamamoto had positive mentoring experiences during his undergraduate and graduate careers where his mentors consistently guided and helped him develop independence in the field. But when he became a professor, he initially struggled to effectively mentor his students. In this episode, Dr. Yamamoto shares key moments of how he learned what tendencies can damage

Expectations: Acknowledging The Power We Hold

Feb 25 2021 15 mins  
Biological anthropologist Dr. Kate Clancy shares her experience of observing gaps within the mentoring ecosystem, then taking action to create more inclusive spaces for both students and faculty in higher education. In this episode, Dr. Clancy discusses the coercive power in STEMM ecosystems, how confirmation bias negatively affects mentoring, and what faculty and students can do t

Workplaces: Developing A Culture Of Mentorship

Mar 04 2021 16 mins  
Astronaut and engineer Dr. Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman to go to space. When she first joined NASA, Dr. Ochoa discovered a culture that recognized the value of effective mentoring for everyone in the space shuttle program. In this episode, Dr. Ochoa shares her story of how this culture of mentorship impacted her career, what she did to develop formal mentoring programs

Presence: Never Face Obstacles Alone

Mar 11 2021 18 mins  
When pathologist Dr. Vivian Pinn started medical school, she was passionate to learn medicine. But often, as the only African American woman in a world dominated by white men, she experienced pushback to her presence. In this episode, Dr. Pinn shares her story of how she responded to a lack of mentoring in school, how positive mentoring experiences can empower students’ independe