Mentoring : does support equal success?

Does mentoring work? This paper discusses exploratory research examining the use of mentors by Central Queensland researching women (members of the Central Queensland University Women in Research (WiR) network) and considers the effect of mentor contact on successful researching. From this preliminary research it appears that CQU WiR researching women do benefit from the use of mentors. The main findings indicated that women researchers with a mentor submitted more conference papers and journal articles over a 12 month period than those without a mentor. Furthermore, not only did women researchers with a mentor apply for more funding over a 12 month period, they also obtained higher levels of funding than those women researchers without a mentor. Further, the androgogical benefits of this paper offers links to professional development, strategies and sources and considers what might work for new and current researchers. Future research aims at quantifying these benefits for women researchers in terms of research outcomes, professional guidance and personal support.