OPAD Mentoring Programmes 2025-2026

The Office for Professional Academic Development (OPAD) is running two mentoring programmes this academic year to support academics at different stages of their careers.

The Academic Mentoring Programme, now in its second year, supports new and early-career academics as they navigate their initial years at UM. Mentees are paired with senior, experienced colleagues (mentors) who offer advice, share knowledge, and provide ongoing support over several months. The initiative is designed to help participants navigate the various roles and responsibilities of academic life and progress successfully through the tenure-track process.

The Leadership Mentoring Programme, offered for the first time this year, is designed to support newly appointed or early-career Heads of Department. Mentees are matched with experienced senior academics, including former HoDs, Deans, and Directors. The programme focuses on developing leadership skills, offering guidance on university processes, and fostering positive and collaborative departmental cultures.

Both programmes commenced in October with orientation sessions for participating mentees and mentors. The sessions, facilitated by mentoring consultant Ms Charlotte Bonner-Evans from the University of Glasgow, outlined the expectations and established a roadmap for the mentoring relationships running until September 2026. Across both programmes, there are 27 mentees and 25 mentors participating. 

These mentoring programmes highlight the UM’s commitment to sustained professional development, leadership continuity, and institutional capacity building.