The Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (ANZSOC) has established a new Mentoring Program to foster professional growth, development and connection among criminology scholars and researchers. The program was developed in recognition of the value of sharing knowledge, experience and support across career stages, and provides a structured opportunity for ANZSOC members to connect with colleagues who can offer guidance on their academic and professional development.
The program is open to ANZSOC members at all stages of their academic and applied research careers, including higher degree research students, early- and mid- career researchers, senior academics and applied researchers. Mentoring relationships are intended to be flexible and participant-led, with each mentor and mentee able to shape the relationship around their individual needs, goals and preferences. Formal mentoring arrangements run for 12-18 months, with participants determining how frequently they meet. The program suggests three to four meetings per year, which can be online, in person or hybrid.
What can mentoring offer?
The program provides opportunities for members to have collaborative conversations about their professional and career goals, receive personalised guidance, strengthen professional networks and develop research, writing and publication skills. Mentoring can also support members to navigate academic and applied criminology careers, plan for longer-term career progression, and build confidence in grant writing and development.
The program is deliberately broad and flexible. A mentoring relationship might focus on a specific research or writing project, navigating career decisions, developing a publication strategy, identifying funding opportunities, building professional networks, or simply having space to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with a criminology career with a trusted colleague. Participants are encouraged to establish their own goals and determine what will make the relationship useful for them. Mentoring is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing academic and professional support. The program is not designed to provide formal supervision, counselling or therapeutic support, or to facilitate unpaid research assistance or academic labour. Mentors provide guidance, expertise and constructive feedback, while mentees take an active role in setting goals, preparing for meetings and driving their own professional development.
Getting involved
The program is available to ANZSOC members across academic and applied research careers. Members interested in participating can get in touch with the ANZSOC Mentoring Program coordinators to find out more about participation and mentoring opportunities. The program is coordinated by Dr Siobhan Lawler, Dr Melissa de Vel-Palumbo and Professor Anastasia Powell, with oversight from the ANZSOC Committee of Management and Executive. To find out more about the program, send an email to mentoring@anzsoc.org
Whether you are beginning your research career, navigating a new career stage or have experience that you would like to share with others, the ANZSOC Mentoring Program provides an opportunity to strengthen connections across our criminology community and support the professional development of its members.
