Effective and inclusive mentorship in the field of epidemiology

Quality mentoring improves outcomes across career stages, including a sense of belonging, persistence, and productivity. However, the status quo in mentorship culture-including in epidemiology-is an ad hoc approach. This pervasive culture adversely affects individual mentees and the entire scientific research enterprise. Public health disciplines such as epidemiology bear a distinct responsibility to foster an inclusive mentorship culture, ensuring the next generation is equipped not only with methodological expertise but also with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the principles of public health. In this commentary, we outline the primary attributes of effective mentors, core competencies, and the evidence base underlying how mentors can improve their skills with comprehensive training. We call on mentors, as well as institutional leaders, to make personal and structural changes, such as requiring mentor training, implementing evidence-based tools (eg, individual development plans), and regularly evaluating mentorship quality. Institutional leaders can remove barriers (eg, costs to enroll in mentor training) and facilitate mentorship in non-monetary ways, for example, by making it a formal part of the promotion process. Mentors and leaders must champion these changes, fortifying not only individual career trajectories but also advancing scientific integrity, inclusivity, and justice within the epidemiologic community.