AAR Mentoring Program

About the Mentoring Program

The American Academy of Religion announces the continuation of a program to assist in the mentoring of underrepresented groups. The program is an initiative of the four status committees of the AAR:

• Status of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, & Queer Persons in the Profession (LGBTIQ)
• Status of People with Disabilities in the Profession (PWD)
• Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Profession (REM)
• Status of Women in the Profession (SWP)

How it Works

Each Status Committee nominates and approves mentors. Mentee applicants will then be matched with the mentors for one year, from the 2018 AAR Annual Meeting to the 2019 AAR Annual Meeting. The mentoring committee will attempt to match mentee applicants with mentors as best as possible based on application data but cannot guarantee an exact match. Based on the number of mentors, not all mentee applicants may be matched with a mentor.

The mentors will offer guidance where possible. Areas of mentorship include (but are not limited to):

• Working with a dissertation committee
• Developing as a teacher
• Disclosure of various aspects of identity
• Balancing work/life
• Publishing 
• Tenure and promotion
• Navigating job searches and hiring negotiations

Expectations of Participants

• Connect by phone/Skype/Zoom/etc. at least twice throughout the year
• Meet once face-to-face at the Annual Meeting (if this is not possible, then a third phone call during the year should occur)
• Connect additionally as agreed upon
• Mentors and mentees respond promptly to communication, even if only to say they will be in touch at a later date
• Mentors and mentees share the responsibility for setting up meetings with each other
• Provide AAR with feedback via a survey at the end of the mentor year

AAR Mentors are intended to be sounding boards and guide from experience. They are not therapists, thesis advisors, nor are they readers or editors of the mentee's work.

Mentors and mentees should be aware of potential power dynamics between them and adhere to professional ethics and boundaries. All conversations are confidential unless both parties agree otherwise.

How to Apply to the Program

Registration will open in 2019.