The IFMRS Mentoring Network
Mentoring has been identified by many parts of our global MSK research community as a key means of improving access to knowledge, building expertise and research capacity and advancing MSK science globally, particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), ever since our first virtual roundtable on Education in MSK Research, in 2021.
The IFMRS is therefore launching the first global MSK mentoring network centered around mentoring circles.
mentoring network
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
By joining the network, mentees will have access, and be signposted, to a number of additional resources and opportunities which they will be encouraged to use and pursue on their own initiative, as best suits their needs. They will also be able to participate in ongoing discussions with their mentors and fellow mentees in a dedicated virtual space between mentoring sessions.
It will be: Person-centered. Dynamic. Organic. Enabling. Inclusive.
It will NOT be: Rigid. Prescriptive. Top-down. Onerous. One-size-fits-all.
What We Offer:
Personal networking
Practical, meaningful dialogues and opportunities for learning and personal career progression, with active participation from both mentors and mentees
Person-centered Approach
An inclusive space offering structured support and person-centered learning
Accessible
Free participation to selected mentees with an interested in or already pursuing a career in MSK research, from all over the world
MENTORING NETWORK
HOW IT WORKS
We have identified two key topics for our first mentoring circles:
-> DEVELOPING A CAREER PLAN
-> DEVELOPING RESEARCH
Each mentoring circle will be led by two experienced mentors and will include 3 virtual face-to-face sessions of 90-120 minutes, at intervals of 4-6 weeks.
The first sessions will take place in October or early November 2024, at a time and date to be decided by the mentors and the selected mentees. and will be virtual meetings held over Zoom. All mentees will receive a certificate at the end of the 3 mentoring circles.
Interactivity
We aim for these to be highly interactive sessions that identify and specifically focus on the needs of the mentees. The aim is that frank and open discussion will draw on the knowledge and experience of both mentees and mentors for the benefit of all.
Inclusivity
The mentoring circles are open to anyone with an interest in MSK research. Mentees are asked to complete a short form outlining their interests and personal goals, which will be used to select the participants for each mentoring circle.
Commitment
Mentees are expected to commit to attending all three mentoring circle sessions and engage as required in discussions between sessions.
How to Apply
Please read the two topic descriptions below, and express your interest in joining one or both of these mentoring networks by completing this short form.
The deadline for submitting the form is Monday 30 September.
TOPICS
Developing a Career Plan
DESCRIPTION
- Developing a career plan can prove significantly challenging for both existing and aspiring researchers. This mentoring circle will look at career development in MSK research in the broadest sense, and will explore the key challenges and potential solutions in developing a strong career plan. This topic is particularly aimed at early- to mid-career researchers, and those with an interest in pursuing a career in MSK research generally.
MENTORS
-
Prof Aline Bozec
(University Erlangen Nuremberg, Germany) -
Prof Duncan Bassett
(Imperial College London, UK)
Potential discussion areas include:
- Choosing a tractable and fundable research area
- Time management: Research, teaching and administration
- Identifying and contacting potential collaborators
- Writing grants and fellowships
- Recruiting and retaining staff
- Identifying societies to join and meetings to attend
- Writing papers and targeting journals
- Reviewing for journals and funding bodies
- Academic promotion: What institutions want
TOPICS
Developing RESEARCH
DESCRIPTION
- Developing Research in the broadest sense can be particularly challenging in many parts of the world, particularly where there is limited access to knowledge, infrastructure, funding and peer networks, or where conducting MSK research is not adequately recognized or incentivized. Clinicians and MSK practitioners also often struggle to find the time to conduct or incorporate research into their ongoing work. This mentoring circle will look at the various hurdles and explore solutions around conducting successful research in a challenging environment. This topic is particularly aimed at MSK researchers and professionals with an interest in MSK research from low- and middle-income countries, at all stages of their career.
MENTORS
-
Prof Adewale Adebajo MBE
(Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare, Sheffield, UK) -
Dr Roger De la Cerna
(Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Peru)
Potential discussion areas include:
- Accessing essential and cutting-edge knowledge and innovation in MSK research
- Data capture and data sharing
- Research on a shoestring: maximising impact on a limited budget
- Increasing research funding
- Time management: balancing clinical practice and other work with MSK research
- Developing, joining and making the most of professional peer networks
- Basic vs clinical research
- Successful partnership working
- Key resources and fora
Our Mentors
Prof Aline Bozec
University Erlangen Nuremberg, Germany
Prof. Dr. Bozec was awarded her PhD in Biochemistry from Claude Bernard University Lyon I, France. In 2012, Prof. Dr. Bozec was appointed as a Junior Professor and leader of the Emmy Noether Nachwuchsgruppe at FAU, where she spearheaded pioneering research in osteoimmunology under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Georg Schett.
She has a research background in the fields of immunotherapy and osteoimmunology, making a significant contribution to the understanding of immune system interactions with bone biology.
Prof. Dr. Bozec has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications that examine the nexus of immunology and bone metabolism, with a particular emphasis on inflammatory bone loss, rheumatoid arthritis, and the role of diverse immune cells in bone homeostasis. She has received a multitude of accolades, including the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz-Preis in 2016.
In addition to her research activities, Prof. Dr. Bozec is an active member of several professional societies, and contributes to the academic community through teaching and mentoring at FAU, where she has participated in a variety of courses and seminars on immunology, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
She continues to advance the field through her innovative research, with the goal of translating scientific discoveries into therapeutic strategies for treating autoimmune diseases and bone-related disorders.
Our Mentors
Prof Duncan Bassett
Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Duncan Bassett is a Professor of Endocrinology at Imperial College and a Consultant Physician at the Academic Health Sciences Centre, specialising in Metabolic Bone Disease.
He is Principal Investigator in the Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory in the Department of Medicine at the Hammersmith Hospital, which is an international leader in skeletal phenotyping and thyroid hormone action, which is a topic of longstanding interest to Prof Bassett.
He is currently Associate Editor of The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, President Elect of The UK Bone Research Society and a member of the Wellcome Trust Discovery Awards Panel and the Programme Committee of International Workshop on Resistance to Thyroid Hormone and Thyroid Hormone Action.
Our Mentors
Prof Adewale Adebajo
Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Prof Adebajo is a Consultant Rheumatologist and a Professor of Rheumatology and Health Services Research in the United Kingdom. He has conducted mainly clinical research, both quantitative and qualitative, and has also conducted both basic and translational research.
He recently assumed the post of Editor-In-Chief for Clinical Rheumatology, the journal of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators of the United Kingdom.
He was awarded an MBE IN 2020 for services to inclusive research.
Prof Adebajo feels fortunate to have been able to carry out research in both the global North as well as the global South in lower and middle income countries. Consequently, he has a strong understanding of the opportunities, limitations, barriers and enablers of conducting research in these different settings.
Our Mentors
Dr Roger De La Cerna
Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Peru
Dr De la Cerna is a physiatrist and research coordinator at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Rebagliati Hospital in Lima, Peru, and is also Associate Professor at the National University of San Marcos and Cayetano Heredia University.
He is also a member of the CANOSC Educational and Scientific Committee, the International Scientific Committee for the 2026 ISPRM Congress and is the Main Representative of Rebagliati Hospital in the World Rehabilitation Alliance.