Mentees’ Perspectives on Culture and Mentoring in STEMM: An Exploratory Study Through Qualitative Interviews

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Inclusive Practices for Mentoring (Table 3)

Abstract

Technology advancement has made online mentoring more prevalent, and mentors and mentees from different countries and regions are able to connect virtually. However, when two people from different countries connect in an online mentoring program, they may face challenges due to their cultural backgrounds. This interview study explored how mentees from cultures with different power distance orientations started their mentoring relationships in an online talent development program focused on STEMM. The interviews did not reveal significant differences in their approach to starting mentoring between mentees from greater or smaller power distance countries. However, the interactions between mentees’ and mentors’ power distance orientation might result in some different approaches. This study showed that mentorship can develop successfully online and across cultures.

Authors

• Laura Lunsford, National Science Foundation

• Linlin Luo, Texas A&M University

• Heidrun Stoeger, University of Regensburg