© Patric Fouad
The Peer Power! Mentoring Program provides a supportive network for group leaders from various local institutions, including CECAD, CEPLAS, MPIPZ, MPI-AGE, and MPI Metabolism. This program aims to address the specific needs of group leaders through collaborative peer mentoring. The program is moderated by Dr. Alexander Schiller (Schiller & Mertens GbR), a professional facilitator who guides the group through discussions and activities. The meetings, held both online and in-person, focus on key topics relevant to leadership and professional development. This format ensures a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences among participants.
The PeerPower! Mentoring Program is a collaborative effort jointly organized by CEPLAS, MPIPZ, CECAD, and MPI-AGE, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering leadership development in the scientific community.
The new round of the PeerPower! Mentoring program began in April 2024. This year, eight group leaders are participating, including two from CECAD. The program offers a mix of online and in-person meetings throughout the year, providing a platform for networking and discussing topics related to leadership and professional development.
Planned Sessions:
These sessions are designed to foster an open dialogue among participants, helping them navigate common challenges and enhance their leadership skills. The program combines various formats, including traditional meetings and more interactive sessions like the "Walk & Talk." The final session will be an online outro event, wrapping up the year's activities and reflecting on the progress made.
Since the launch in April 2022, a total of 10 group leaders from the participating institutions are currently involved in the program. Two of the participants are from CECAD. The program's structure encourages open dialogue and mutual support, helping participants to navigate common challenges and develop effective leadership strategies.
The initial cohort met six times throughout 2022, with participants unanimously evaluating the program and the newly formed network as highly beneficial. Based on this positive feedback, the group leaders have decided to continue these meetings independently in 2023.
Looking ahead, a call for applications for a second cohort is planned for the end of 2023, allowing for more group leaders to benefit from this enriching experience.
For any further information, please contact Dr. Franziska Ottens.
Dr. Franziska Ottens
Managing Coordinator Education,
Career Development & Diversity
franziska.ottens[at]uni-koeln.de
CECAD Central Office
Room: 1.040
CECAD Research Center
Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26
50931 Köln
