Postdoctoral Research and Informal Mentoring: A Reflective Inquiry

Sandi M. Van Lieu, Yavapai College

Manyu Li, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Abstract

This article reflects on an informal mentoring project that took place between an established faculty member with grant-writing and research experience and another faculty member who was finishing her doctoral degree and had no experience in applying for grants or submitting to peer-reviewed publications. After the project, the doctoral student reflected on her experience using Graham Gibbs’ reflective model and discovered why this mentor/mentee relationship was effective despite the fact that all communication took place via email. The results were the authors concluding how important mentorships are for doctoral students.

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