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The Design Society Mentorship Programme is concluding its third successful year, with preparations now underway for the 2026–27 cycle, launching in September 2026.
This initiative was developed to support professional development, knowledge exchange, and community-building across all career stages within the DS membership. It is open to all members, from early-career researchers and PhD students to experienced academics and industry professionals.
Deadline: 15 August 2026
The programme pairs mentors and mentees for a year-long collaboration, offering structured guidance, mutual learning, and a platform to discuss academic, research, and career development goals. The mentorship is flexible and self-directed, allowing each pair to decide how often and in what format they meet (e.g., virtual meetings, email exchanges, or in-person meet-ups).
Key benefits for mentees include:
Mentors benefit by:
If you’re interested in joining as a mentor or mentee, please contact Ian Whitfield (ian.whitfield@strath.ac.uk) and Julie Le Cardinal (julie.le-cardinal@centralesupelec.fr) by 15 August 2026.
Those interested are encouraged to connect in person at DESIGN 2026, where current mentor–mentee pairs and prospective participants will have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.
The official launch of the new mentoring year will take place at the end of September 2026, with guidance materials and onboarding support provided to all participants.
