Reassess-Realign-Reimagine: A Guide for Mentors Pivoting to Remote Research Mentoring.

Area of Science:

• Scientific research
• Mentorship
• Remote work

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges to research team productivity and trainee development.
• Remote work environments necessitated new approaches to mentorship.
• Maintaining mentee progress and academic careers required adaptive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a three-step process for enhancing remote research mentorship.
• To provide evidence-based strategies for structuring remote mentoring plans.
• To address the psychosocial needs and diverse backgrounds of mentors and mentees in remote settings.

Main Methods:

• A three-step reflective practice model: reassess, realign, reimagine.
• Development of mentee-focused questions based on documented mentoring competencies.
• Consideration of psychosocial factors and diverse backgrounds in remote mentoring.

Main Results:

• The proposed process facilitates the reassessment and realignment of mentoring relationships.
• Structured remote mentoring plans can be developed using evidence-based questions.
• Addressing psychosocial needs is integral to effective remote mentorship.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive remote mentoring strategies are essential for sustained research productivity.
• Reflective practice enhances the effectiveness of mentoring relationships in remote settings.
• Future mentoring models should incorporate flexibility and address diverse mentee needs.