Africa Section Communications/Mentoring Program Interest
The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) Africa Section Communications/Mentoring Program (funded by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) is about enrolling new set of mentors and mentees to participate in the eight month mentoring program.
Enrolment exercise will commence at the SCB 2008 annual meeting during the Section Annual General Meeting on 15th July 2008.
The program’s goal is to increase the capacity of African student conservation biologists to write proposals, publish and disseminate their research in international peer-reviewed journals and establish careers in conservation biology for more young African scientists, especially women.
Interested mentors and mentees should please fill the interest form (Word format). Please note that SCB membership is not a requirement for either mentor or mentee; however, preference will be given to SCB members. Please send interest forms to babademo2001@yahoo.com with cc: to mnm04ng@yahoo.com before 15th August 2008.
Best wishes,
Ademola AJAGBE
Program Coordinator
Africa Section Communications/Mentoring Program
URL: http://www.conbio.org/africa
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Guidelines for Writing Scientific Papers (MS Word or pdf)
- Guidelines for Writing Grant Proposal (MS Word or pdf)
Mentorship Details:
Background information
Aim of the Program
The SCB Africa Section Communications/Mentoring Program initiated in 2007 and funded by the MacArthur Foundation was established to support mentees, especially women through research work manuscript writing for publication in peer-reviewed journals and proposal development.
This initiative aims to expand the pipeline of seasoned African conservation biologists and foster the development of young aspiring professionals in conservation biology. The program will take place mostly by e-communication, via the internet across geographical boundaries within Africa and beyond.
Who needs the Program?
The program is targeted at African students or conservation biologists new at manuscript, proposal or abstract writing. This is with a view to facilitate the publication and dissemination of research and reports by African conservation biologists. The program is open to SCB Africa section members; however SCB membership is not a requirement.
What are the types of mentoring programs that would take place?
The traditional one-one e-mentoring will be the fundamental type of mentoring that will take place. This will be complemented by periodic evaluation; a web-based discussion group to facilitate group mentoring mediated by the Program Coordination Unit (PCU).
What would the program accomplish and what outcomes will result?
Mentor: Expand their own network of professionals and students working in Africa, continuity with their own research, sense of satisfaction, increased value as a knowledgeable person, and new skills and fresh perspectives acquisition.
Mentee: Direction (supervision) in achieving research goals, which include: published papers, approved grant proposals, skills acquisition and fresh perspectives, increased confidence, educational/career advancement etc.
How will the program work?
The PCU will match the mentee with a mentor. The match process will be bi-directional, taking into account not only the mentee's preferences for a mentor, but also the mentor's preferences in a mentee.
As the case may be, mentors will guide mentees electronically through manuscript exchange for editing and review. Mentees will be assisted by the PCU with access to publication resources.
Requirement
*Mentor must be a holder of a PhD degree or PhD in view with a track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. S/he must also have organizational/institutional affiliation with a history of research/work experience in Africa.
*Mentee may be a student or young professional new at manuscript, proposal or abstract writing or a young woman who in addition to the aforementioned has other related needs. S/he should be graduate student or young professionals of African origin and may be based anywhere in the world, but their work will be on topics directly applicable to current Africa conservation issues. Organizational/institutional/academic affiliation is essential. Mentee must be interested in having a mentor, have regular access to computer and internet service, and be able to express him/herself through online communication. SCB membership is not a requirement for either mentor or mentee; however, preference will be given to SCB members.
Interested persons should complete the interest form here
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