ODYSSEY Researcher Mentoring Programme
ODYSSEY is South East Technological University’s structured mentoring programme for researchers and research professionals, supporting career and professional development and helping to strengthen a connected research community across SETU.
The 12-month programme connects researchers and research professionals with experienced mentors from across the University. Through confidential, one-to-one mentoring relationships, participants have an opportunity to reflect on their professional development, explore career goals and gain new perspectives on the opportunities and challenges that can arise throughout a research career.
Mentors and mentees are carefully matched, with cross-disciplinary and cross-campus connections encouraged. This approach enables participants to build networks beyond their immediate research area while facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experience and perspectives across SETU.
For researchers participating as mentees, ODYSSEY provides a structured space to reflect on their development, broaden their professional networks and consider future career pathways. For mentors, the programme provides an opportunity to further develop mentoring and leadership skills while contributing to a supportive and collaborative research culture within the University.
The programme is informed by the European Commission’s ResearchComp framework, which supports the development of transferable skills and competencies for researchers across a range of career pathways.
Supporting researcher development at SETU
Through ODYSSEY, SETU aims to foster a culture in which researchers are supported throughout their professional development and have opportunities to connect with colleagues, share knowledge and learn from the experience of others.
Mentoring pairs typically meet approximately once per month over the course of the 12-month programme, providing continuity while allowing each mentoring relationship to respond to the individual goals and development needs of participants.
ODYSSEY forms part of SETU’s wider commitment to supporting researcher development, strengthening research culture and creating an environment in which researchers and research professionals can develop and progress throughout their careers.