Evaluating a National Academic Mentorship Program to Grow the Next Generation of Gender-based Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Researchers

Abstract

Purpose

The personal, economic, and societal costs and consequences of gender-based violence are significant. Although much violence intervention and prevention work occurs within academia, there is currently no coordinated workforce development approach to recruiting, training, and supporting the next generation of faculty focused on gender-based violence. Here we present an evaluation of Mentoring mcBEE—a mentorship and professional development program for new faculty from a range of disciplines from across the United States.

Methods

Before and after the mentoring program (2017 – 2019) and at least once during each academic term, fellows (n = 22) completed Redcap surveys to assess improvements in faculty skills, work life balance, job satisfaction, and research productivity. Surveys also included open-ended questions gauging fellows’ training and development needs and the value and limitations of the program. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with open-coding of free-text survey responses.

Results

Greater participation in this academic program significantly increased the size and support of participants’ networks, enhanced professorship skills, improved symptoms of poorer mental health, and increased academic productivity.

Conclusions

Gender-based violence continues to disproportionately impact the lives of women, girls, and sexual minorities regardless of biologic sex. Ensuring the educational and financial support needed to create and maintain the workforce who can address this health threat is a critical step in making a ‘future without violence’ a reality.