From Workshop to Action: Unveiling Challenges and Opportunities in Doctoral Student Mentorship

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding the Graduate Student Experience: Limnality, Academic Bullying, and Mentorship (Table 12)

Abstract

To understand the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for fostering equitable mentorship among doctoral students, I attended the "Taking Doctoral Mentorship Seriously" workshop in Washington, DC. Serving as a field researcher, I collected practices from academic department leads at 63 institutions, analyzed findings, and conducted a literature review. Anticipated contributions include insights into barriers and opportunities in doctoral mentorship, grounded in a theoretical framework emphasizing institutional change and data transparency. Preliminary findings highlight challenges in defining mentorship, its measurement, and ensuring accountability. This research aims to offer actionable recommendations for enhancing mentorship practices and contributing to a more student-centered doctoral education. Future steps involve refining data collection instruments, IRB submission, and moving towards meaningful insights as the project progresses.

Author

• Nicole Marie Johnson, Howard University