Mentorship in Focus: Alliance4Life Advances Research Supervision Across Central and Eastern Europe
On 3 April 2025, an online mentorship workshop brought together more than 100 participants from institutions involved in the Alliance4Life_BRIDGE project. Organized by Prof. Ana Borovečki from the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, the workshop was primarily designed for early-career researchers embarking on their mentoring journeys. However, it also attracted a number of more experienced PhD supervisors.
The event opened with two insightful presentations by Prof. Robert Harris from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden: “Professional Responsibility as a Supervisor” and “Conflict Prevention and Management.” These were followed by a session from Prof. Joana Palha of UMINHO, Portugal, who explored what both supervisors and students value in their interactions. Dr. Janet Carton from UCD Dublin, Ireland then delivered her talk titled “Research Supervision – Supporting Key Relationships, Professional Development & Effectively Managing Time.”
Prof. Ana Borovečki addressed the topic of responsible conduct in research, and the final two presentations were delivered by Prof. Nadira Duraković and Assoc. Prof. Filip Sedlić, both from the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb (UZSM). Prof. Duraković shared insights from a mentorship workshop she previously attended, offering a thoughtful reflection on the importance of supervisor training courses. Assoc. Prof. Sedlić spoke about his experiences as a PhD student in the USA and how these have shaped his current approach to mentoring doctoral students.
This workshop was part of Work Package 4: Mentorship Model, led by Assoc. Prof. Sedlić from UZSM, which focuses on strengthening mentorship practices. The invited speakers from Sweden, Portugal, and Ireland are all affiliated with ORPHEUS (The Organization for PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the European System). ORPHEUS is an international organization dedicated to upholding the quality and integrity of the PhD as a research degree by supporting graduate schools, faculties, researchers, and supervisors through quality assurance mechanisms and the promotion of best practices in doctoral education. The School of Medicine of the University of Zagreb is one of the founding members of ORPHEUS. This same organization also supported a previous mentoring workshop for leaders in doctoral education held at CEITEC Masaryk University in Brno. (Read more HERE)
Workshop Applauded for Relevance, Clarity, and Real-World Focus
The mentorship workshop received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who praised its high quality, relevance, and strong practical orientation. Many highlighted the clarity, coherence, and structure of the presentations, noting that the content was thoughtfully prepared and directly applicable to real-life academic situations. The online format was also commended for being engaging and interactive, allowing for meaningful exchanges despite the virtual setting.
A standout element of the workshop was the contribution of Prof. Robert Harris from Karolinska Institutet. His two sessions on conflict resolution, professional responsibility, and the role of supervisors were widely regarded as inspiring and impactful. Participants appreciated how his talks blended theoretical insight with concrete, real-life examples, making the material not only relatable but also actionable in their own mentoring contexts.
Communication emerged as a central theme throughout the workshop. Participants acknowledged that, in the busy academic environment, the importance of consistent, transparent, and empathetic communication is often underestimated. The sessions effectively reinforced that good communication is the cornerstone of successful supervision and essential for building trusting, productive relationships with PhD students.
Another frequently praised aspect was the sharing of personal experiences by the speakers. Rather than abstract concepts, the workshop focused on practical strategies, illustrated with examples from the speakers’ own careers. This approach added authenticity and resonated particularly well with participants who are just beginning their supervisory journey. Attendees also valued the fact that many speakers came from biomedical backgrounds, which added disciplinary relevance to the discussions.
Participants cited a wide range of key takeaways, from conflict prevention and managing expectations to fostering mutual respect and giving both positive and constructive feedback. The workshop provided guidance on ethical supervision, time management, and even the use of digital tools to support the mentoring process. Importantly, it highlighted that effective supervision requires ongoing learning and self-reflection, not just academic credentials.
Overall, the workshop succeeded not only in strengthening participants’ practical mentoring skills but also in creating a sense of community and shared purpose among researchers. It encouraged participants to view mentorship as a structured, evolving responsibility—one that is deeply connected to leadership, professional growth, and the long-term success of doctoral candidates.
“I appreciate the workshop's professionalism, realistic vision, and strong alignment with the current realities and challenges of the academic world. It was insightful and well-structured.”
“After the workshop, I plan to implement structured mentoring plans, conduct regular feedback sessions, and provide more personalized support for mentees based on their individual needs and goals.”
Alliance4Life Community Eager for Continued Professional Development
Participants left the mentorship workshop with a strong motivation to put their learning into practice. Many highlighted conflict management, clear communication, and setting expectations as the most valuable lessons they aim to apply in their daily academic lives. Several attendees shared plans to establish regular meetings with their PhD students, maintain written records of discussions and agreements, and offer constructive feedback in a respectful and structured way. Others emphasized the importance of supporting students' independence while providing guidance and recognized the need to adapt their supervisory approach to individual student needs. Concepts such as responsible conduct in research, training new supervisors, and even the use of AI tools and time management strategies were also mentioned as practical takeaways they intend to explore further. Some participants have already begun applying new approaches, including checklist-based planning and more personalized mentorship styles.
The feedback also revealed a strong appetite for ongoing career development opportunities. Participants expressed interest in further training on topics such as leadership in academia, grant writing, interpersonal communication, research integrity, and mentorship strategies that support both the professional and personal growth of early-career researchers. Many showed enthusiasm for learning more about navigating team dynamics, mentoring across diverse student backgrounds, and achieving work–life balance as academic leaders. There was also growing interest in the ethical use of artificial intelligence in research. It is encouraging to see that Alliance4Life members are eager for more professional development, just ahead of the launch of the Alliance4Life e-learning platform in June 2025. This new platform will offer structured learning opportunities to meet the evolving needs of researchers and supervisors across the alliance.
As the Alliance4Life community continues to grow, so does its commitment to supporting the professional development of its members. The enthusiastic response to the mentorship workshop and the participants’ readiness to implement new approaches signal a strong momentum for positive change in research supervision. With the upcoming launch of the Alliance4Life e-learning platform in June 2025, institutions across the alliance will gain access to a wealth of resources designed to support effective mentoring, leadership, and career growth.
A heartfelt thank you goes to ORPHEUS and all speakers, as well as to Prof. Ana Borovečki and Assoc. Prof. Filip Sedlić from the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, for their exceptional organization of the workshop and their vision to positively transform doctoral education across Alliance4Life and the wider Central and Eastern European region. Their leadership and dedication are helping to shape a more supportive, ethical, and impactful research culture for current and future generations of scientists.
