Why science needs strong mentors

Three award-winning mentors share the secrets of their success.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-02440-7

Scientist mentors describe how supporting junior colleagues alongside many other responsibilities is a true labour of love.

How can science better support and reward academics who, alongside running labs, writing grants, authoring papers and teaching students, also devote precious hours of their working week to mentoring colleagues?

In the first episode of this seven-part Working Scientist podcast series, three winners of the 2020 Nature Research Awards for Mentoring in Science describe why this part of their role is so important and needs to be recognized more prominently.

“We all know that mentorship is important. And yet, we don’t seem to value it appropriately or recognize individuals who devote time and energy and passion to mentoring,” says Magdalena Skipper, editor-in-chief of Nature and leader of the annual awards.

Podcast