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. 2022 Spring;13(1):36522.
Epub 2022 May 2.

Enhancing Research Mentors' Cultural Awareness in STEM: A Mentor Training Intervention

Sherilynn Black  1   2   3 , Angela Byars-Winston  4   5   6 , Ivan Cabrera  4   7 , Christine Pfund  4   8   9
Affiliations

Enhancing Research Mentors' Cultural Awareness in STEM: A Mentor Training Intervention

Sherilynn Black et al. UI J. 2022 Spring.

Abstract

Research mentoring relationships are critical to mentees' persistence in STEM careers. Cultural identity variables (gender, race, ethnicity) influence how mentees experience mentoring relationships, including their developmental needs and expectations of mentors. Research shows that mentees from underrepresented groups in STEM often want to discuss topics related to race and ethnicity and how these factors impact their careers. However, many research mentors are uncertain of their ability to broach cultural diversity issues in mentorship, or in strategies to engage in culturally aware mentoring practices. To address this need, we developed an evidence-based mentor training intervention for Enhanced Cultural Awareness (ECA) in mentorship. We implemented this 2hr module online with research mentors (N=62) largely from well-represented racial/ethnic groups in STEM who were mentoring undergraduate researchers from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. Mentors reported significant gains in skills, attitudes and behaviors related to cultural awareness in mentoring. The majority of mentors found the training valuable, and 97% of mentors reported intending to make changes in mentoring practices post intervention. Our results indicate that the ECA module is an effective tool to increase mentors' capacity to enact culturally aware mentoring practices. Implications for continued research and mentorship education to enhance mentors' cultural awareness are also discussed.

Keywords: Mentor training; STEM; culture; diversity; intervention; mentorship.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
The majority of participants found the ECA module to be a valuable use of their time.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
The majority of participants plan to make changes in their mentorship practices after taking the ECA module.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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