SRIP Mentorship Programme 2025 - Applications now closed!

Applications for the SRIP Mentorship Programme 2025 are now closed. Please see below for more information on the programme. Mentees and mentors will have the opportunity to apply for the 2026 round at the end of this year.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the third round of the SRIP Mentorship Programme. The programme, which is led by a group of SRIP Early Career Researchers (ECRs), aims to support mentees in networking with and learning from mentors in the field of reproductive and infant psychology. Eligible mentees will be matched with a mentor who has similar research interests and can therefore share valuable experiences with them and answer questions about potential career paths. However, both sides can benefit from potential international collaborations, which might develop as a result of the programme.  

We are looking for applications from both mentees and mentors, who would be interested in participating in the Mentorship Programme. Mentees can be trainees/students, early career professionals, or those exploring a new facet in their career at any stage (e.g., an experienced clinician who is starting their PhD). Mentees need to be members of SRIP. Mentors can be mid- or senior-level clinicians, researchers, educators, advocates, and policy-makers and, although they are not obliged, they are encouraged to consider becoming members of SRIP.  

Commitment: 

We suggest the mentee and mentor meet approximately four times per year, however, frequency can be decided between the pair. The meetings can take place online or in-person if circumstances permit and the mentoring agreement should preferably last for one year. After the first year, the mentors and mentees may decide to continue or discontinue their meetings. Please note that the mentor is not expected to provide exclusive support, but may also connect the mentee with other professionals in the field.  

What you need to do, if you would like to be a mentee: 

Please email Lara Seefeld (lara.seefeld@ukdd.de) with the following information:

1. profession (psychologist, midwife, nurse, student etc.)

2. current position/university, career level, location, main (research) interests

3. a short paragraph (up to 350 words) explaining why you would like to be a mentee and what you hope to gain from the program. The more specific you are, the greater the chance that we can find a good match for you.

Please also state the languages in which you would feel comfortable speaking to your mentor.  

What you need to do, if you would like to be a mentor: 

Please email Lara Seefeld (lara.seefeld@ukdd.de) with the following information:

1. profession (psychologist, midwife, nurse, etc.)

2. current position, location, main (research) interests

3. the languages in which you would feel comfortable speaking to your mentee 

Please contact Lara before 21 December 2024 with the necessary information, if you would like to apply.  

Testimonials

On average, past mentees rated their overall satisfaction with the Mentorship Programme at 8.6/10.

They reported that they found the programme very helpful, both for their professional and personal development. 

One mentee said: "I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for my mentor's support and guidance throughout the mentoring programme. It has been a truly transformative experience for me, and my mentor's encouragement has inspired me to believe in myself and my potential. Her guidance has also strengthened my resolve to pursue my dreams of obtaining a PhD, even amidst the challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood."

Another mentee reported: "My mentor gave me very helpful information regarding summer schools and how to combine clinical and research work."

One of the mentors wrote: "My mentee was awarded best poster presentation at the SRIP annual conference and we managed to discuss in person during that conference on her next scientific paper. It has been a privilege and a very rewarding experience."