ADAPT Together through a peer mentoring scheme

What is ADAPT Together?

ADAPT together is a peer mentoring scheme for all PhD students in SLMS and BEAMS. Peer mentoring groups meet to help each other solve common issues, share best practice and learn from each other’s experience. Groups can be organised around departments/institutes or any other themes depending on the demand. 

What are the benefits?

PhD students may face a number of barriers to building a research career, such as finding appropriate advice on managing stress, dealing with difficult colleagues, balancing work and personal commitments or fingering out your next career move. Many challenges can be overcome by networking with colleagues that have been in similar situations and are able to provide support and a different way of looking to the problem at hand.

ADAPT together will empower you to:

• Build an effective and supportive network;
• Boost your confidence and resilience;
• Talk through problems in a supportive environment without worries about how you will be perceived by senior colleagues.

How does it work?

The ACO will provide training and financial support for meetings and recognition for students who want to lead the peer mentoring groups.

Each group will have a student lead who is responsible for:

• Making sure there is a collegial and friendly environment where all are able to contribute to discussions.
• Getting in touch with group members about dates for the meetings.
• Liaise with their departmental administrator to booking venue and refreshments for the meetings.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Group leads will be offered the opportunity to attend training on peer mentoring techniques. The learning points from training are transferable to a variety of work environments and will help attendees develop leadership skills.

It is up to each group to decide the appropriate time commitment for the meetings – we suggest meeting at least once each quarter for a couple of hours. There is no obligation to attend all meetings but it should be something you look forward to!

How can I join in?

You can register your interest by completing this brief form.

We will ask you about which group(s) you would like to join in and if you would like to be a student lead for your group. We will organise a training workshop for the group leads (date TBC) and we expect new groups will start meeting immediately after that.