The Chalmers Genie Mentorship Program is an initiative designed to support PhD students at Chalmers who identify as female or a marginalized gender. Through one-to-one mentorship, the program connects junior and senior researchers across various departments.
Originally launched in 2020 for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers within the Department of Electrical Engineering and WACQT (Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology) at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, the program later expanded to include PhD students from the Area of Advance Nano. With support from Genie, the program now welcomes mentees from all departments at Chalmers.
The Genie Mentorship Program provides opportunities to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, receive career coaching, and, when needed, seek support for navigating difficulties in the research environment.
How to apply to the program
PhD students in their second to fourth year who identify as female or a marginalized gender are welcome to apply by completing our application form. Applicants are asked to include a brief motivation describing how they hope to benefit from the program.
All applications are reviewed by a selection group. If accepted, mentees will then complete a follow up questionnaire with additional information about themselves. This information helps the organizers match mentees with suitable mentors.
Information for mentors and mentees
The main element of the program is one-to-one meetings between mentor and mentee. You decide together where and when to meet, and your conversations should focus on topics guided by the needs and wishes of the mentee.
Each program year begins with a kick-off event in September, where mentors and mentees meet for the first time, enjoy fika, and receive a brief introduction to the program.
A mid-term event with an invited speaker is typically held in February/March. For those who wish, we also arrange a joint lunch on campus. If the weather allows, the program year concludes with an outdoor lunch barbecue in May or June. Participation in events is encouraged but always voluntary.
We understand that mentorship is a human experience, and sometimes a pairing may not be the ideal match. If any issues arise or if you feel the match isn’t working as intended, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal is to ensure that everyone involved has a positive and meaningful experience, and we’re here to support you.
Guidelines for mentors and mentees, along with additional program information, will be available on Canvas. Access will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
Read the article “Mentoring to break down gender barriers in academia”
- Administrative Coordinator, MC2 Operations Support, Microtechnology and Nanoscience