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Structured PhD programme of the Department of Psychology

Campus der Universität Bielefeld — © Universität Bielefeld

Inspire - Accompany - Shape

Optimal conditions for customised support for your doctorate

In addition to the exchange between mentor and mentee, the mentoring includes participation in a framework programme. This enables the participants to set personal priorities and develop sustainable perspectives for the successful organisation of their doctorate and the time afterwards.

Along the way, you will gain insights into the unwritten conventions of the scientific system, build relationships with role models and like-minded people, and experience an inspiring environment in which to formulate and strive towards your scientific and personal goals.

Mentoring as part of the doctoral program means...

...for mentees: individual support and impulses for a successful doctorate and opening up career prospects as a researcher

...for mentors: a valuable opportunity to promote young academics and self-reflection in the academic world

...for the Department of Psychology at Bielefeld University: promoting successful doctorate/Phd studies while at the same time investing in your own potential as a young researcher

Procedure

Step 0: Invitation to the kick-off: When you are accepted into the doctoral programme, you will receive a cover letter inviting you to the mentoring programme kick-off and asking you to give some thought to possible mentoring concerns.
Step 1: Kickoff: Personal goal development: In the kick-off, the mentoring programme and its goals are presented, the topics for mentoring and the requirements for the mentor are derived based on the mente's own priorities, and helpful tips and suggestions for the search for a mentor are provided.
Step 2: Independent search and recruitment: According to the decision of the Doctoral Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science dated July 4, 2024 (English version coming soon), the following criteria must be observed when independently searching for a suitable mentor: The mentor must come from the group of university lecturers, i.e. they can be professors and habilitated researchers in the field of Psychology. In addition to university lecturers from Bielefeld University's own department, university lecturers from other universities can also act as mentors. In justified exceptional cases, mentors from non-university institutions may be requested. In individual cases, it is possible to request non-specialist mentors if they are people from disciplines related to the subject and the mentee submits a brief justification. Once a potential mentor has been found, the mentee contacts the mentor independently with the support of a template and personal additions.
Step 3: Initial consultation: Getting to know each other and coordinating respective expectations and time resources. For the duration of 3 years, both agree on a certain number of hits depending on the needs and availability of the participants (at least 2 per year, each lasting 1.5 to 2 hours). The time investment for the mentor is limited to the hits with the mentee. There are no further obligations. The content of the exchange varies depending on the mentee's questions and should not relate to content-related aspects of the doctorate/Phd studies, but rather focus on topics relating to successful doctoral studies and career development. Dealing with the DFG Guidelines on Good Scientific Practice (GSP) should be a cross-cutting topic. The main task of the mentor is to allow the mentee to share their own experiences and perspectives.
Step 4: Submitting the mentoring agreement to the doctoral office: As soon as you have clarified everything with your mentor, submit the mentoring agreement to the doctoral office.
Step 5: Interim balance sheet meeting: After a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 meetings, a personal discussion with the kick-off speaker (approx. 25 to 30 minutes) to reflect on and, if necessary, recalibrate the individual goals and key topics.
Step 6: Degree and possible extension: Final event for a moderated exchange of experience reports and joint reflection. Sharing valuable key tips from the mentors. Joint final evaluation. Mentor and mentee can then discuss whether they would like to continue the mentoring relationship.