Launch of U-Connect – Universities’ Diversity Mentoring Scheme (Pilot)

We are delighted to announce the launch of U-Connect, the product of a collaboration between a number of Universities in the Yorkshire region, who have joined together to provide the opportunity for colleagues to mentor others – and to be mentored – by colleagues from diverse backgrounds, from a different institution.  Our partners in the scheme include:

 

• Leeds Trinity University
• York St John University
• Sheffield Hallam University
• University of Sheffield

 

The collaboration was born out of the desire of all Universities involved to improve career development and progression opportunities for those who may have experienced barriers on account of their race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic, or intersectional disadvantage. The scheme aims to boost the confidence and prospects of those taking part by opening up networking opportunities, providing a different perspective and supporting higher education colleagues to achieve their potential through external mentoring.

In order to manage the scheme effectively during the pilot year, we will limit the number of mentor and mentee applications to five each per institution, so ten each altogether. Although we will absolutely do our best to find suitable matches, as this is our first year of operation, we cannot gauge demand or expectations, so please be aware that it may be possible that we will be unable to find a suitable match this time.

We are accepting applications from colleagues who may wish to mentor others or to be mentored under the Scheme. Further information and application forms to be a Diversity Mentor or Mentee are available from Olivia Briddon, to which applications should be submitted by Friday 3 September 2021. Training for mentors will be delivered by an external consultant, Sneha Kiley from Blue Tulip Consultancy, and will take place on Friday 17 September 2021 from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.