Mentoring the leaders of tomorrow today

For the third year, UTS has participated in the Franklin Women Mentoring Program, which brings together established research leaders and emerging female career researchers from the Faculties of Health, Science and Engineering and IT. 

The program supports and promotes female health and medical researchers as they progress into leadership positions, while retaining their skills in the sector. It also provides current leaders the chance to develop their mentorship and leadership capabilities.

At UTS, the Franklin Women Mentoring Program connects researchers from across different disciplines, providing them the opportunity to enrich their approaches to their own fields. 

One of this year’s mentees, Dr Mehra Haghi is a senior lecturer in Pharmacy at the Graduate School of Health. Dr Haghi says that participating in the Franklin Women Mentoring program has “had a big impact on my outlook”.

“My Mentor’s feedback enabled me to look afresh at what I do, identify the strengths I bring to my role and how to leverage those to make an even stronger impact in my career”, she says.

Dr Haghi, who joined UTS in 2014, says that working alongside her mentor inspired her to step into more leadership opportunities.

“Learning from my mentor’s experience helped me open up to leadership opportunities I don’t think I would have even been prepared to otherwise”, she says.

Dr Deborah Debono, a researcher and senior lecturer in Health Services Management at the Faculty of Health, was a Franklin Women runner-up mentee. 

Deborah received six mentoring sessions with Faculty of Health, Associate Dean of Research, Professor Debra Anderson, and participated in three Franklin Women events, which she says, “was a great opportunity to connect with other women in research.”

Deborah says, that the mentoring sessions were instrumental in changing the way she thought and approached her research, teaching, professional development and even service activities. 

“My mentor Debra, took the time to help me surface why I research and teach, what I do and the way in which I do it, what I value, and supported me to consolidate a research and teaching vision.

“Debra’s approach is empowering – she challenged my modus operandi and encouraged me to develop a different way of working and thinking.  She also suggested practical strategies, provided advice and helpful tips”, she says.

For mentors as well, the program was equally rewarding. Professor David Currow, Professor of Palliative Medicine at IMPACCT, was one of the mentors who was paired with an up-and-coming researcher. 

Reflecting on his own experience, Professor Currow says that the chance to grow as a mentor was “a very exciting opportunity”.

“Not only does it support mentees in a one-to-one relationship, it also provides development and support for mentors,” he says.

“There is emphasis on improving the mentors’ skills not only in mentoring but in leadership.”

Professor Currow says that connecting with future leaders enabled him to think about his own career.

“Working with highly motivated, energetic and inspiring future-leaders only serves to improve my skills and have me reflect honestly on areas where I can continue to build,” he says. 

Combining both informal mentoring sessions with formal sessions facilitated by experiences in leadership, the Franklin Women Mentoring Program has enduring impact and relevance for mentees and mentors.

UTS will be taking part in the Franklin Women Mentoring Program again in 2021.