The Polar Impact Network is seeking to establish a mentor/mentee program that focuses on mentorship within the polar sciences and polar communities across the world, and would value your input on a survey put together by one of our volunteers.
Polar Impact’s mission is to support, connect, and highlight the stories of Black, Asian, Indigenous, people of color, and minority ethnic professionals in the polar research community. You can learn more about Polar Impact here: https://www.polarimpactnetwork.org/.
This anonymous survey aims to better understand how the needs of mentors and mentees are (not) met in existing mentor/mentee programs, both within and outside of the academy, with particular emphasis on how success or failure can intersect with participants’ racial/ethnic identity, gender, sexual orientation, and other personal and/or professional factors.
Results will not only be used to inform how Polar Impact structures the framework for our future mentorship program, but also to provide resources for existing programs that will help improve accountability, accessibility, and efficacy in mentorship of members of BIPOC/BAME/URM communities.
If you are interested in participating in this upcoming program, there is an option to add your email at the end of the survey.
Note: this email will be linked to your answers. While this identifying information will be available only to the creator of the survey (Emily Schwans), should you prefer to retain total anonymity while expressing interest, please leave the email query blank and send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (cc: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) after completing the survey.
We ask that you forward this survey to students/colleagues/technicians/community leaders who may have a unique perspective to provide, and thank you for any input that will help us better serve individuals affiliated with the wider polar community.
Thank you,
The Polar Impact Mentorship Initiative Organizers