The overall responsibility of an Academy Mentor is to support and encourage new clinical scientists as they develop a successful career.

The role of an Academy Mentor is to act as an independent sounding board as their mentee thinks about the development of their career.

In this role mentors are likely to:

• help mentees explore options and gain insights into different courses of action
• signpost mentees to sources of information including people and networks 
• share their own experiences of dealing with challenging situations.

Academy Mentors are not expected to become involved in:

• Matters relating to status, promotion or remuneration
• Issues relating directly to the management and content of the mentees research
• Providing references
• Joint collaborations and joint funding applications.

Effective mentors are therefore

• Approachable
• Facilitative and empowering
• Non-judgemental and non-directive
• Good listeners
• Willing to give time
• Enthusiastic about the development of junior colleagues