WCC UK Mentoring Schemes 2025-2026
What we offer
WCC UK aims to support our members in reaching the goals of their Classics career and projects. Clarifying personal goals and viable ways to achieve them can transform our work experiences and improve our motivation. While workplace mentoring is normally tied to performance management framed within institutional targets, WCC UK is not so constrained. For us the targets are what you choose to identify as beneficial for you. In a wholly supportive and positive developmental framework for members, mentors and co-mentors may offer:
- professional advice
- an informed sounding board for career decisions and planning
- a different perspective
- safe space to talk through challenges and difficulties
- affirmation, encouragement and cheerleading
- signposting to relevant information and guidance on progress and growth
- help with viable target-setting and review (accountability).
By signing up to any WCC mentoring, you agree to abide by the WCC Mentoring Code of Conduct, which sets out our commitments to confidentiality, mutual respect, and inclusivity.
Choosing Your Mentoring Scheme
The WCC UK runs three mentoring schemes for members.
1. Co-mentoring Triads (year-long)
The WCC Co-Mentoring Triad scheme allows members at all stages of their careers to share experiences and support one another to achieve identified development goals, over the course of one academic year. On the basis of their expressed preferences for the focus of the mentoring, co-mentors are matched with two others to form a triad.
The 2025-26 scheme is now open for signup. An invitation has been sent to members, which contains further details on this scheme.
Please use this form to sign up.
2. Short-term Mentoring
Short-term Mentoring offers focused support on a specific issue for a fixed period. WCC maintains a database of mentors who are able to offer guidance on particular topics and challenges. When a mentee signs up, they are matched with a suitable mentor. The mentoring relationship begins when the two are introduced to each other by email and encouraged to begin their contact. Mentoring will usually be carried out by email, although any other means of communication are acceptable at the discretion of the mentor and mentee. The mentoring period should not exceed three months, and will often be shorter.
This scheme runs all year round.
3. Conference Graduate Mentoring
The Conference Graduate Mentoring scheme offers focused, one-off support for MA and PhD students and recent graduates, and occurs annually at the Classical Association Conference, normally held in Spring. Postgraduate students at any stage, from registration through to post-viva submission or recent PhD completion, are matched with mentors, who should normally hold a permanent academic position. Mentor and mentee then meet during the conference at a mutually-agreed time. Mentees are asked to identify in advance their chosen area or areas for mentoring. To participate in this scheme, the mentee, and normally the mentor, will be attending the conference (in-person or online). Information on signing up for this Graduate mentoring will be circulated by email in advance of the conference.
If you have any questions or comments, please email the Mentoring Liaison: Helen Van Noorden (hav21 [at] cam.ac.uk).