SRIP Mentorship Programme

Applications for the SRIP Mentorship Programme are now open. Below you can find information about the programme.

The SRIP Mentorship Programme is currently in its fifth round. The programme, which is led by the SRIP ECR Representatives, aims to support mentees in networking with and learning from mentors in the field of reproductive and infant psychology. Eligible mentees will be matched with a mentor who has similar research interests and can therefore share valuable experiences with them and answer questions about potential career paths. However, both sides can benefit from potential international collaborations, which might develop as a result of the programme.  Participation in the programme also makes you eligible to apply for the Mentorship Scholarship to facilitate a week-long visit to the mentor’s institution and carry out a small discreet project of your choosing.

We are looking for applications from both mentees and mentors, who would be interested in participating in the Mentorship Programme. Mentees can be trainees/students, early career professionals, or those exploring a new facet in their career at any stage (e.g., an experienced clinician who is starting their PhD). Mentees need to be members of SRIP. Mentors can be mid- or senior-level clinicians, researchers, educators, advocates, and policy-makers and, although they are not obliged, they are encouraged to consider becoming members of SRIP.  We are keen to get both mentors and mentee across a breadth of disciplines including but not limited to, psychology, sociology, public health etc.

Mentees will also be grouped in “mentorship pods” — small groups of 3–4 mentees who will be matched based on shared research interests while ensuring a mix of career stages and experiences. These pods offer an additional layer of peer support, allowing mentees to connect, exchange ideas, and navigate challenges together in a flexible format (e.g., online meetings or chat groups).

Commitment: 

We suggest the mentee and mentor meet approximately four times per year, however, frequency can be decided between the pair. The meetings can take place online or in-person if circumstances permit and the mentoring agreement should preferably last for one year. After the first year, the mentors and mentees may decide to continue or discontinue their meetings. Please note that the mentor is not expected to provide exclusive support, but may also connect the mentee with other professionals in the field.  

You need to be a member of SRIP to take part in this programme. Please do so if you are not already a member.

What you need to do, if you would like to be a mentee: 

Please email Tisha Dasgupta (tisha.dasgupta@kcl.ac.uk) with the following information:

1. profession (psychologist, midwife, nurse, student etc.)

2. current position/university, career level, location, main (research) interests

3. a short paragraph (up to 250 words) explaining why you would like to be a mentee and what you hope to gain from the program. The more specific you are, the greater the chance that we can find a good match for you.

Please also state the languages in which you would feel comfortable speaking to your mentor.  

What you need to do, if you would like to be a mentor: 

Please email Tisha Dasgupta (tisha.dasgupta@kcl.ac.uk) with the following information:

1. profession (psychologist, midwife, nurse, etc.)

2. current position, location, main (research) interests

3. the languages in which you would feel comfortable speaking to your mentee 

Please submit your expressions of interest to Tisha (tisha.dasgupta@kcl.ac.uk) no later than Dec 15^th 2026. Do reach out if you have any questions before applying.

Testimonials

On average, mentees in the 2025 cohort rated their overall satisfaction with the Mentorship Programme at 9/10. They reported that they found the programme very helpful, both for their professional and personal development, and that they received excellent support from their mentors.

One mentee said: "I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for my mentor's support and guidance throughout the mentoring programme. It has been a truly transformative experience for me, and my mentor's encouragement has inspired me to believe in myself and my potential. Her guidance has also strengthened my resolve to pursue my dreams of obtaining a PhD, even amidst the challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood."

Another mentee reported: "My mentor gave me very helpful information regarding summer schools and how to combine clinical and research work."

Mentees also benefitted from connecting with their mentor's colleagues: "Through meetings with her research team from different parts of the world, I have improved my research skills and gained confidence in writing the protocol, which we are currently working on together. Beyond this project, she has been consistently supportive throughout my PhD journey, understanding my challenges, motivating me, and helping me strengthen my academic skills."

One of the mentors wrote: "My mentee was awarded best poster presentation at the SRIP annual conference and we managed to discuss in person during that conference on her next scientific paper. It has been a privilege and a very rewarding experience."

Another mentor said: "My mentee will be visiting my department and has developed a new project that she wishes to run in our setting. I think it was a very good matching."