Enhancing Research Mentors' Cultural Awareness in STEM: A Mentor Training Intervention.
Sherilynn Black1,2,3, Angela Byars-Winston4,5,6, Ivan Cabrera4,7
1Duke University.
UI Journal
|April 20, 2023
Summary
A new training program significantly improved research mentors' cultural awareness, equipping them to better support mentees from diverse backgrounds in STEM. This enhances mentoring effectiveness and promotes inclusivity in scientific research.
Area of Science:
- STEM Education
- Mentorship in Research
- Cultural Competence in Academia
Background:
- Research mentoring is crucial for STEM career persistence.
- Cultural identity influences mentee experiences and expectations.
- Mentors often lack confidence in addressing cultural diversity in mentorship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an evidence-based training intervention for Enhanced Cultural Awareness (ECA) in mentorship.
- To assess the impact of the ECA module on research mentors' skills, attitudes, and behaviors.
- To determine the effectiveness of ECA training in preparing mentors for culturally aware practices.
Main Methods:
- An online 2-hour Enhanced Cultural Awareness (ECA) module was delivered to 62 research mentors.
- Mentors were primarily from well-represented racial/ethnic groups in STEM.
- Mentors supervised undergraduate researchers from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups.
Main Results:
- Mentors reported significant improvements in cultural awareness skills, attitudes, and behaviors.
- The majority of mentors found the ECA training valuable.
- 97% of mentors intended to modify their mentoring practices post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- The ECA module effectively enhances mentors' capacity for culturally aware mentoring.
- This intervention offers a scalable solution to improve diversity and inclusion in STEM mentorship.
- Further research and education are needed to advance cultural awareness in research mentorship.
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