Research Mentorship: A Developmental and Transformational Tool in Shaping and Sustaining African Women’s Career Progression in Academia
I felt compelled to write this book (1) after realizing how pivotal mentorship has been in my own career journey; (2) due to receipt of consistent affirmative expressions regarding my qualities as a mentor from own mentees; (3) acknowledgements by various stakeholders as an exemplary mentor; and (4) overall contributions made to research mentorship as well as the observe impacts thereof. There is one conversation with a young black woman scientist that continued to linger in my mind. The lady asked me: “Please just tell me, how did you navigate your career journey from early-career struggles to research leadership? How did you achieve so much at such a relatively young age? How did you finish your Ph.D. at the age of 29 years? Then become a research director? extraordinary professor? executive director? Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation? National science award winner? Sophisticated science networker? Socially engaged scientist? Queen Mother of Research and much more? This series of questions made me realize how blessed I was and how much I needed to share the context-specific lived experiences of my research mentorship journey to empower those who identify with me in navigating through their research journeys. After almost a quarter of a century in a research career, I have come to realize that many emerging researchers wish to become research leaders, but they do not know how to navigate the path towards research leadership.
Product details
Chapters
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1. Research Mentorship is a Panacea for Early Career Struggles
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2. Research Mentorship is a Foundation for Solid Career Success
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2. My Vision for Research Mentorship
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3. The Definition of Mentorship and its Implications
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4. The Impact of Mentorship in my Career Journey
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5. Research Mentorship has Ripple Effects
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6. Mentees Taking Centre Stage
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7. Successful Mentor-Mentee Relationship
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8. How Research Mentorship was Conducted
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9. Lessons Learned from Research Mentorship
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10. Closing Reflections
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