North East universities representation in leadership mentoring programme
k.pote...@gmail.com
Sent: 29 April 2026 12:33
To: Krzysztof Poterlowicz <K.Poter...@bradford.ac.uk>; Andrew Mason <andrew...@york.ac.uk>; katheri...@newcastle.ac.uk <katheri...@newcastle.ac.uk>
Cc: peerl...@elixiruknode.org <peerl...@elixiruknode.org>
Subject: [HELP NEEDED] North East universities representation in leadership mentoring programme
Caution - this is an external email: Don't open any links, attachments or QR codes unless you trust the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
The application deadline for PeerLadder 2026 has been extended to Monday, 4 May.
PeerLadder is a funded peer-mentoring programme for digital Research Technical Professionals (dRTPs) from underrepresented groups who are ready to step into leadership. Funded by DisCouRSE, supported by ELIXIR-UK, delivered in partnership with Open Life Science (OLS).
Who it's for
dRTPs – Research Software Engineers, bioinformaticians, data stewards, data scientists, community managers, and the many other digital research-technical roles – who identify as part of an underrepresented group.
Including but not exclusive of:
women
disabled or neurodivergent professionals
LGBTQIA+
people from minority ethnic backgrounds
people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
Underrepresentation isn't a soft preference here – it's the eligibility criterion. The people the programme is most for are often the ones least likely to put themselves forward. If you (or someone you're considering forwarding this to) has any doubt about whether you qualify, please email peerl...@elixiruknode.org before assuming you don't.
What makes PeerLadder different
A single insight underpins the whole programme: diversity in the room only changes outcomes when people feel safe enough to speak. The cohort opens with two workshops led by OLS dedicated to building psychological safety – establishing trust, openness and shared norms before any peer-mentoring work begins. Regular project check-ins run throughout the year, and the coordination team is readily reachable whenever needed.
The mentoring itself is peer-to-peer, not top-down – a small cohort of dRTPs at a similar career stage, supporting each other through structured monthly sessions to March 2027.
What it asks of you
Application: 4 short questions, ~150 words each. No CV, no references, no personal statement. ~1 hour to complete.
Time during the programme: ~1 hour per month outside the workshops. You decide how long the mentoring sessions last.
Cost: £0. Travel and accommodation for the in-person workshop in Manchester are fully covered.
Apply by Monday 4 May
If there are dRTPs in your team or network who fit, please forward this to them. The structural barriers PeerLadder addresses mean the people it's most for are often the ones least likely to put themselves forward without a direct nudge.
With best wishes,
The PeerLadder co-leads
Saskia Lawson-Tovey · Xenia Perez-Sitja · Carole Goble · Sara Villa
––
Xènia Pérez Sitjà
ELIXIR-UK Communications & Community Manager
Earlham Institute
Norwich Research Park
Norwich
Norfolk
NR4 7UZ
Email: xenia.pe...@earlham.ac.uk
Book time with me
--