Global Majority Mentoring Programme 2024-25
What is the Global Majority Mentoring Programme (GMMP)?
The GMMP is London Higher’s flagship programme championing equality, diversity and inclusion across the capital’s higher education sector. Through the programme we aim to:
- Improve career progression for Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff by providing a platform to match mentors and mentees.
- Give mentees a chance to be partnered with a mentor from a different institution, broadening pan-London collaboration and giving mentees a space to seek tailored support from their mentor.
- Give the opportunity to network with other Black, Asian and minority ethnic professionals from institutions across the capital.
NEW: We have published a GMMP Impact Report and GMMP Impact Report Annex – Mentee evaluation survey.
Who can apply to this programme?
You can apply for the programme if you:
- Identify as being from a global majority background;
- Are an academic with a title such as (but not limited to): assistant lecturer/lecturer, or are an early career researcher; OR
- Are a junior professional services member of staff;
- Are keen to develop yourself professionally;
- Are willing to commit to the programme.
We will accept applications from candidates with roles that go from the lowest grade in their institution (entry-level) up to roles that include a small supervisory element. To be eligible as a mentee, you must not already possess significant supervisory experience.
You must also be a member of staff at a London campus of one of the participating institutions in 2025’s Programme. Participating institutions will be announced after Monday 14 October 2024, on this webpage.
How was the programme created?
London Higher and its members are committed to working towards building inclusive institutions that represent the global and wonderfully diverse city in which they are situated. We work with many talented professionals from the Global Majority, placing equality, opportunities for minoritised groups and a commitment to addressing imbalances front and centre.
The Global Majority Mentoring Programme is now running its fourth edition, having sprung from the bilateral North London Leadership Programme (NLLP), a positive action mentoring scheme for Black, Asian and minority ethnic academics and professional services staff run by London Metropolitan University and City, University of London. The NLLP was led by Amaechi Echedolu, Learning & Development Manager and Co-Chair of the BAME Staff Network at London Met.
Amaechi and Darren de Souza, Senior Policy and Projects Officer at London Higher, organised and delivered the pan-London pilot in 2022, which involved 56 participants from 8 London Higher member institutions. In 2023, nearly 120 participants from 15 member institutions took part, and 2024 saw 80 participants from 16 members. We look forward to continuing to build a vibrant network of Programme alumni throughout and beyond London HE.
Why is it called the Global Majority Mentoring Programme?
We strive to use inclusive language and are aware that institutions across the London Higher membership may use terms such as (but not limited to): Black, Asian and minority ethnic; BAME; people of colour; global majority; and minoritised people.
We anticipate that participants in this Mentoring Programme will be from the global majority, a term suggested by Dr Rosemary Campbell-Stephens, referring to people who are of:
‘Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialised as ethnic minorities. Globally, these groups currently represent approximately 80% of the world’s population’.
For the purposes of this programme, this also includes White ethnic groups that are underrepresented in higher education, such as those from Roma, Gypsy or Traveller backgrounds.
Why participate in the Programme?
This is an opportunity for you to work with a mentor and to support your own development, You will work with your mentor to set goals and be supported in achieving them. You will:
- Share your professional challenges and get advice from a more experienced, senior member of staff from a global majority background.
- Reflect on your own career progress and discuss your problems in a confidential environment with someone from another institution. Develop your goals more quickly and effectively by being paired with a senior colleague.
- Engage in open, confidential, and respectful dialogue about the cultural challenges and any barriers for progression your mentor may have faced. Gain an understanding of different processes, structures and challenges being faced within another institution.
Networking sessions hosted by London Higher also offer you the chance to:
- Network with other professionals from global majority backgrounds working in institutions across the capital.
- Hear from a wide range of exciting speakers and engage in discussion on topics relevant to those working in London HE.
What does the GMMP offer?
1:1 Mentoring Sessions
Mentees will have a minimum of four 1:1 mentoring sessions with their mentor. These sessions are to be arranged by participants in their pairs through PushFar – mentees and mentors can choose to meet online or in person. We anticipate that each session will last for a minimum of 45-60 minutes.
Networking Sessions
London Higher will facilitate the opportunity for participants to network with other Black, Asian and minority ethnic professionals from institutions across the capital, and will run events with invited speakers throughout the programme’s duration.
The format of these sessions is mixed – some will be online, and some will take place in person. Further details regarding dates and content of these events will be announced in due course.
Learning Leaders – a leadership development workshop series for mentees
Co-designed and co-led by London Higher, the University of Westminster, and 101 Dimensions, ‘Learning Leaders’ is an innovative leadership development workshop series that provides mentees with a safe and reflective space to think critically about their own leadership qualities. These optional, in-person workshops aim to meet the Programme’s ‘career progression’ objective, by empowering and upskilling mentees to move upwards in their career trajectory.
This is an optional element of the GMMP, and mentees will be required to submit a separate expression of interest in Spring 2025. Full details for these sessions will be confirmed to successful applicants in advance of the sessions.
What is expected of mentees on the GMMP?
In order to take full advantage of the opportunity on offer, you will need to:
- Be proactive in organising 1:1 mentoring sessions with your mentor. Be in control of the content of the agenda for these sessions.
- Be prepared to be challenged as well as supported by your mentor.
- Be committed – you are expected to attend all scheduled sessions as part of the programme.
- Be open and honest.
- Be professional.
PushFar mentoring platform
We will facilitate this programme through the online mentoring platform, PushFar. The majority of announcements, event sign-ups, discussion forms will be on here.
Indicative programme timeline
Timeline |
|
Activity |
|
Explanation |
| 14 October – 30 November 2024 | Expressions of interest from applicants are received by institutional contacts within the institution. Upon receipt, institutional contacts provide applicants with the sign-up form. | Mentees will be global majority (Black, Asian or minority ethnic) early career researchers or junior professional services staff. | ||
| 30 November – 13 December 2024 | London Higher and Minerva will meet to match applicants. Successful applicants will be directly informed of their pairing via an email from PushFar. | Successful participants will be informed of their pairing before Christmas, so that they can arrange initial contact before the in-person launch event. | ||
| mid January 2024 | Briefing sessions for mentees and training sessions for mentors, led by London Higher, members, and partners. | These lunchtime sessions will provide an overview of the mentoring process, and tutorials of how to use the PushFar platform. | ||
| late January 2024 | A launch event and introductory networking session for participants of the Programme, institutional contacts, and sponsors. | This is the first opportunity for the cohort to network in person. | ||
| Spring 2025 | Online development session. | London Higher and London Met will organise an online session. | ||
| Spring 2025 | Online development session. | London Higher and partners will organise this session. | ||
| Spring/Summer 2025 | Learning Leaders: London Higher and the University of Westminster will run a series of in-person leadership development workshops. | Expressions of interest will be circulated to mentees. | ||
| July 2025 | Minerva masterclass: session on career development, CV advice and the headhunting process. Followed by end of programme celebration event in person, with invited guest speakers. | London Higher and Minerva will organise this celebration event. This will be an in-person reception to celebrate the Programme and network participants have built. | ||
| January – July 2025 | A minimum of 4 mentoring sessions (approx. 45 minutes – 1 hour every four to six weeks). | To be independently arranged by participants in their pairs to suit the individuals. This can be done via Pushfar. | ||
| 31 July 2025 | Official end date for the programme. | |||
How do I apply?
Once participating institutions are confirmed, you must express interest to your institutional point of contact. Applicants will then receive a link to the PushFar sign-up form, where you will be required to fill in your profile.
How will I be matched to a mentor?
Mentees will be matched to mentors based on their backgrounds, career pathways, appropriate level of seniority, areas for development that the mentee has suggested and other relevant information that is provided to us through your mentee sign-up form. Please note that as we strive to match participants based on best fit, you may not be successful for this round of the Global Majority Mentoring Programme.
When will I find out if I’ve been matched?
London Higher and Minerva will undertake the matching process after the application window has closed. Please be aware that as participants are matched on best fit, we cannot guarantee that you will receive a place on the programme. If you are successful, you will receive an email from Pushfar notifying you that you have been matched by Friday 13 December 2024.
When you receive details of your pairing, we encourage you to set up an initial conversation, so that pairs have met each other (online or in person) before the programme launch event in mid-late January.
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions or would like further information about this programme, the application process or clarification on your institutional point of contact, please contact Darren de Souza (mentoring@londonhigher.ac.uk).
Below is a video from a GMMP information session on 22 November 2022.
