Mentoring practices that predict doctoral student outcomes in a biological sciences cohort

Reena Debray, Emily A Dewald-Wang and Katherine K Ennis

PLOS ONE, 2024, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: Despite the importance of a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in biological research, women, racial and ethnic minorities, and students from non-traditional academic backgrounds remain underrepresented in the composition of university faculty. Through a study on doctoral students at a research-intensive university, we pinpoint advising from faculty as a critical component of graduate student experiences and productivity. Graduate students from minority backgrounds reported lower levels of support from their advisors and research groups. However, working with an advisor from a similar demographic background substantially improved productivity and well-being of these students. Several other aspects of mentoring practices positively predicted student success and belonging, including frequent one-on-one meetings, empathetic and constructive feedback, and relationships with other peer or faculty mentors. Our study highlights the need to renovate graduate education with a focus on retention–not just recruitment–to best prepare students for success in scientific careers.

Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0305367

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305367

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