The Art of “Menteeship”: A Book Talk and Conversation with Dr. Maria LaMonaca Wisdom – Nov. 17, 2026
Session Description
November 17 2026 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Strong mentorship can shape the trajectory of an academic research career. This session aims to equip faculty with evidence-based frameworks to engage more intentionally and purposefully within their research mentorship relationships.
Drawing on her book How to Mentor Anyone in Academia, Dr. Maria LaMonaca Wisdom (Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement at Duke University) will engage mentees in thinking about questions of autonomy and agency. Academic research is saturated in hierarchy, with the traditional mentor-mentee relationship encapsulating those dynamics. A host of internal barriers - including social anxiety and so-called imposter syndrome - can also inhibit mentees from cultivating strong mentor networks.
This lecture and facilitated discussion moderated by Dr. Barbara Fallon (Associate Vice-President, Research) will challenge the idea of traditional mentorship and engage participants in reflecting on what’s within their power as mentees, what’s beyond it, and how to translate those insights into purposeful action.
Learning Objectives
- Rethink traditional, hierarchical notions of mentorship in order to recognize a wider range of peers and colleagues as valuable parts of a research mentoring network.
- Develop strategies for identifying and approaching prospective mentors whose expertise and values align with your research goals, and for clearly communicating your needs and expectations.
- Develop a greater understanding of how power dynamics and positionality shape mentoring interactions in an academic research environment and how to better navigate these dynamics.
Additional Information
Attendees will be automatically entered in a draw to win a free copy of Dr. Maria LaMonaca Wisdom's How to Mentor Anyone in Academia.