Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research

Mentoring

The traditional model of mentoring relies on a one-on-one approach, in which a senior scholar coaches a graduate student from early coursework through graduation and perhaps junior investigator status. In contrast, MCUAAAR has developed a structured mentoring and education process for our research scientists, which includes an individualized development plan, monthly integrative and individual mentoring sessions, and an educational series in research fundamentals and health disparities. Our mentoring approach is enhanced through the integration of the Research Education Core with the Administrative, Community Liaison and Outreach, and Analysis Cores. The MCUAAAR faculty have developed a proven strategy to successfully mentor junior researcher scientists, and the MCUAAAR faculty are active major researchers in the field of life-course development and aging.

As an example of the effectiveness of this approach, the 14 MCUAAAR scientists funded from 2018-2022 published 160 articles since joining the mentoring program (when controlled for years since joining MCUAAAR, the average publication rate was six articles per year). Overall, the 14 MCUAAAR scientists received funding as a Principal Investigator for 31 grants including four K awards and three R01 grants. In addition, of those funded in the first three years (2018- 2020, all nine MCUAAAR scientists were funded by external grants in the role as Principal Investigator, while three of the five scientists were funded after joining as MCUAAAR scientists in 2021.

What I Learned on the Academic Job Market

February 17, 2023

Dr. Janelle R. Goodwill, Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, shared insights she learned while on the academic job market. Her talk focuses on negotiation strategies once you receive a job offer or multiple job offers.