Student Mentor in the Reciprocal Mentoring Project
Closing Date: 23/11/2025

Become a Student Mentor in the Reciprocal Mentoring Project

Are you passionate about inclusion, equality, and making a real difference at Lancaster University? The Reciprocal Mentoring Project is a new, collaborative initiative led by Social Mobility and Student Success Team and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team.

This project brings together students and senior staff as partners in a shared process of learning, reflection, and change.,  

What is Reciprocal Mentoring and why are we using it?

Reciprocal mentoring is a two-way learning partnership between students and staff. Unlike traditional mentoring, where one person offers guidance to another, reciprocal mentoring is based on mutual learning, reflection, and respect. Both mentors and mentees share their experiences, listen actively, and learn from each other’s perspectives.

In this project, students from widening participation (WP) backgrounds and senior members of university staff will come together in small groups to explore what it’s really like to study and work at Lancaster. Through open and honest conversations, participants will reflect on university culture, challenge assumptions, and identify ways to make Lancaster more inclusive and supportive for everyone.

Through the Reciprocal Mentoring Project, we’re working to:

• Build understanding and drive change: Help senior leaders gain a deeper insight into the diverse experiences of students from widening participation (WP) backgrounds — and use this understanding to shape a more inclusive university culture.
• Amplify student voices: Strengthen students’ sense of belonging and empower them as active partners in change, with a focus on UK mature students, students who have received free school meals, and students from Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority backgrounds.
• Develop student mentors: Support student mentors to grow their confidence, employability skills, and social and cultural capital, recognising them as equal contributors to research and change at Lancaster.

Essential Criteria

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and an interest in improving the experiences of all students at Lancaster.
• Lived experience that relates to the project, for example be first in your family to go to university, have been eligible for free school meals, be from a Black, Asian, or Ethnic Minority background.
• Openness to reflective learning – willingness to engage in honest conversations, listen actively, and learn from others’ perspectives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build positive relationships with staff and students.
• Reliability and professionalism, with the ability to meet regularly and contribute thoughtfully to discussions and activities.
• Respect for confidentiality and sensitivity when discussing personal or institutional experiences.
• Enthusiasm for co-creation and collaboration, working as part of a team to influence positive change.
  
  

  If you’re interested in developing your skills, influencing positive change, and working in partnership with staff, we’d love to hear from you.

  To apply, please complete a CV and cover letter.

  Your cover letter should be one side of A4 and could include answers to the following questions:

   

  1. Why would you like to be a student mentor as part of our Reciprocal Mentoring Project?
  2. Why do you think it is important to bring about positive change for underrepresented student groups at Lancaster University?
  3. What would you personally like to gain from a mentoring session with a senior leader at the university?