Mentorship as an overlooked dimension of research capacity strengthening: how to embed value-driven practices in global health.


Bonaconsa, Candice, Nampoothiri, Vrinda, Mbamalu, Oluchi, Dlamini, Sipho, Surendran, Surya, Singh, Sanjeev K, Ahmad, Raheelah, Holmes, Alison ORCID: 0000-0001-5554-5743, Rasheed, Muneera A, Mendelson, Marc et al (show 1 more authors) (2024) Mentorship as an overlooked dimension of research capacity strengthening: how to embed value-driven practices in global health. BMJ global health, 9 (1). e014394-e014394.

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Abstract

Mentorship in global health remains an overlooked dimension of research partnerships. Commitment to effective mentorship models requires value-driven approaches. This includes having an understanding of (1) what mentorship means across different cultural and hierarchical boundaries in the health research environment, and (2) addressing entrenched power asymmetries across different aspects including funding, leadership, data and outputs, and capacity strengthening. Existing guidance towards equity and sustainability fails to inform how to navigate complex relationships which hinder effective mentorship models. We focus this perspective piece on human capacity strengthening in research partnerships through mentorship. Using a case study of a research partnership, we describe the lessons learnt and the challenges faced in the mentor mentee relationship while maintaining an effective and sustainable partnership. Human capacity strengthening must research projects and collaborations, and recognise local leadership and ownership. To be transformative and effective, practices need to be driven by common values across research teams.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Mentors, Capacity Building, Global Health
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2024 09:54
Last Modified: 30 Jan 2024 10:55
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014394
Open Access URL: https://gh.bmj.com/content/9/1/e014394
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3178068
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