BEACON Mentorship Program

Q: What is the BEACON Mentorship Program?
A: BEACON (Bioethics Education and Collaboration Across Our Nations) is a mentorship program designed to foster bioethics capacity building across Africa through volunteer efforts and existing resources. It connects experienced bioethicists with early-career professionals to enhance research skills, promote collaboration, and advance ethical practices in various fields.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the BEACON program?
A: The program is open to both mentors and mentees. Mentees should be early-career researchers, graduate students, or professionals interested in bioethics. Mentors should be established bioethicists, ethicists, or professionals with significant experience in bioethics-related fields. 

Q: How long does the program last?
A: The BEACON Mentorship Program runs for one year.

Q: Is there a cost to participate in the program?
A: No, the BEACON
Mentorship Program is volunteer-based and free for both mentors and mentees. 

Q: What areas of bioethics does the program cover?
A: The program covers a wide range of bioethics areas, including but not limited to research ethics, clinical ethics, environmental ethics, technology and data ethics, and bioethics policy and governance. 

Q: What are the benefits of being a mentee in the BEACON program?
A: Mentees gain personalized guidance from experienced professionals, access to a network of bioethics experts, opportunities for collaborative research, and support in developing their careers in bioethics.

Q: How much time commitment is expected from mentees?
A: Mentees are expected to commit to monthly meetings with their mentors (1-2 hours) and participate in quarterly group sessions. Additional time may be required for collaborative projects or workshops.

Q: Can I choose my own mentor?
A: While we take mentee preferences into account, mentor-mentee pairs are matched based on shared interests, expertise, and program goals to ensure the best possible outcomes for all
participants.

Q: What if I’m not satisfied with my mentor match?
A: If you have concerns about your mentor match, please contact the program coordinators. We will work with you to address any issues and, if necessary, consider a re-match. 

Q: What are the requirements to become a mentor?
A: Mentors should have significant experience in bioethics or related fields, typically holding a PhD or equivalent. They should be willing to commit 2-4 hours per month for mentoring activities.

Q: What are the responsibilities of a mentor?
A: Mentors are expected to provide guidance, share their expertise, offer career advice, and potentially collaborate on research projects with their mentees. They should also participate in program evaluations and contribute to the overall success of the program.

Q: Can I mentor more than one mentee?
A: Depending on your availability and the program needs, you may have the opportunity to mentor multiple mentees. However, we typically start with one mentor-mentee pair to ensure quality engagement.

Q: Will I receive any compensation for being a mentor?
A: The BEACON program is volunteer-based, and mentors are not financially compensated. However, mentors benefit from expanding their professional network, contributing to the field’s growth, and potential research collaborations. 

Q: How are mentor-mentee pairs matched?
A: Pairs are matched based on shared research interests, career goals, and complementary expertise. We use a careful review process to ensure the best possible matches.

Q: What kinds of activities are included in the program?
A: The program includes one-on-one mentorship meetings, peer learning groups, collaborative mini-projects, and virtual skills workshops.

Q: Are there any in-person components to the program?
A: The BEACON program is primarily conducted virtually to accommodate participants from across Africa. However, if circumstances allow, there may be opportunities for regional in-person meetings or conferences. 

Q: When can I apply to the program?
A: The application period for both mentors and mentees typically opens in October for the program starting the following year. Check our website for specific dates.

Q: How long does the application process take?
A: The application review and matching process usually takes about 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.

Q: Can I apply if I’m not based in Africa?
A: The BEACON program is primarily focused on building bioethics capacity in Africa. While we prioritize Africa-based participants, we may consider applications from those with strong ties to or focus on African bioethics issues. 

Q: What technical requirements are there for participating in the program?
A: Participants need reliable internet access and a device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) capable of video conferencing. Familiarity with basic online collaboration tools is helpful but not required.

If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please don’t hesitate to contact the BEACON program coordinators at secretariat@africabioethicsnetwork.org.