The Fight for Sight Mentorship Scheme is designed to strengthen the development of early career vision researchers (ECRs) by connecting them with more experienced vision researchers who share their research or career interests and have already expressed interest in participating in the scheme.
It’s a chance to bring researchers together, support their professional development, resilience and connectivity to the vision research community.
Each mentoring pair is matched, assisted by AI, according to their declared interests and preferred method of meeting, ensuring a partnership that will be mutually beneficial.
Supporting the next steps in your research career
Starting out in research can bring exciting opportunities, along with plenty of questions. Our Mentorship Scheme gives ECRs a space to talk through their next steps with someone who has been there before. That might mean shaping a research idea, developing new skills, preparing a grant application or building confidence within the wider vision research community.
Simultaneously, it fosters meaningful scientific relationships that encourage knowledge exchange, collaboration, and a stronger sense of belonging within the field.
By bringing researchers together across career stages, the programme will help build a vibrant, connected and inclusive research community working together to advance understanding of eye health and improve outcomes for people affected by vision loss.
What we ask from Mentors and Mentees
We will make the initial connection, then give each partnership the space to develop in a way that works for them.
We will ask for updates twice a year from both Mentors and Mentees on how the mentorship is progressing so that the value of the mentorship arrangement can be assessed.
We ask each mentoring pair to:
Meet or connect at least three times a year
Create a safe and supportive space to discuss and learn
Share case studies, insights or learnings that could benefit the wider mentorship network.
Explore opportunities to collaborate, including lab visits and other ways to connect.
Show your interest in joining the programme through the link below:
Growing a stronger research community, together
Mentorship is about building meaningful connections that last beyond the programme. By sharing knowledge, experience and ideas across career stages, we can strengthen our research community and create new opportunities to collaborate.
Together, we’re helping to build a more connected and inclusive vision research community, bringing fresh thinking and expertise closer to the discoveries that will improve outcomes for people affected by vision loss.
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