Peer Mentoring

The Peer Mentoring Sub-Committee aims to provide young rheumatologists and researchers with a wide range of mentoring options to interact with mentors and leading clinicians/ researchers in the field of rheumatology. It also encourages the exchange of ideas and networking between peers providing an opportunity to get in touch with rheumatologists and researchers with similar research interests.

Ongoing projects of the Peer Mentoring Sub-Committee :

1) Peer Review Mentoring Program for Rheumatology Journals: To train EMEUNET members as reviewers for scientific journals in rheumatology under the supervision of senior reviewers. This program is organised in collaboration with the editorial offices of Ann Rheum Dis and RMD Open.
2) Mentor–Mentee meetings at international conferences (ACR and EULAR): Informal meetings between EMEUNET members and experts in the field of rheumatology to discuss career plans, research options, training etc. under an informal atmosphere.
3) Research institute database: To promote research collaborations between EMEUNET members and research institutes in Europe. Along with the official list of the EULAR Centres of Excellence, and EULAR Centres of Imaging we provide information on a list of various high quality centres around Europe that are available to enable exchange of research projects and also to enhance the mobility and international experience of young rheumatologists and researchers.
4) Post-Doc Mentoring Program: A pioneer program for early career researchers aimed at providing mentoring to cover a number of aspects of the research and career development: how to lead projects, build networks, evolve into a senior researcher and general career advice.

ACTIVITIES

THE MENTOR-MENTEE MEETINGS AT EULAR 2022

Prof Peter Lamprecht

Prof Laura Coates

THE MENTOR-MENTEE MEETINGS AT ACR 2022

Dr Peter Grayson

Prof Nicola Dalbeth

EMEUNET Peer Review Mentoring Program for Rheumatology Journals

Since its first edition in 2012, this innovative program has received enormous attention from the whole EMEUNET community and beyond, and it has been continuously expanding with 29 mentors and more than 100 EMEUNET members having participated. Since 2017, the program involves the two EULAR/BMJ rheumatology journals (Ann Rheum Dis and RMD Open). This brought new top-level mentors and a broader selection of research topics, as well as a higher number of available places. The 7th edition has been launched in 2021.

The experience from the EMEUNET Peer Review Program has been recently reported in a viewpoint article and a podcast in RMD Open. In this article, we have summarized the main characteristics of the program, the outcomes of the last editions and the recent improvements implemented.

Do not miss the opportunity to engage in scientific state-of-the-art discussions with leading experts and receive invaluable training in peer review. Stay tuned to our social media platforms and newsletters and apply to upcoming editions! For any questions related to this program, please contact emeunet.peer.review@gmail.com

EMEUNET PostDoc Mentoring Program

A recent survey conducted among EMEUNET members revealed that there is a need for mentoring during the early career stages (see also the recent article on this). As a result, in 2018, the EMEUNET Peer Mentoring Sub-Committee launched the EMEUNET PostDoc Mentoring Program. This program is a pioneering initiative in Europe. The fourth edition started in 2021.

It offers mentoring to young postdoctoral researchers from senior, leading experts in the field. To guide the mentoring process, the program follows an Individual Development Plan, which collates the expectations and aims of the mentees and identifies areas where the mentor could provide guidance. It is based on a flexible scheme of communication between mentor and mentee during a 12-month time frame.

Are you a Post-Doc researcher in rheumatology and need a mentor to support your academic growth? Take advantage of this unique program and apply for coming editions! For any questions related to this program, please contact mentoring.emeunet@gmail.com

LEADER:Silvia Piantoni

Silvia is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow and Consultant in Rheumatology at the ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, University Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, in Brescia (Italy).Her translational research focuses on the involvement of T lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases. During her PhD Course in Immunology, she moved to Geneva for a lab-based research projectShe is a member of the Italian Rheumatology Society since 2015.