The Bridge: Empowering PhD and Postdoctoral Students in Music – Mentorship Programme Wraps Up as Part of Erasmus+ Music4Change
From April 2024 to April 2025, the Creative Mentorship team successfully implemented the first mentorship programme designed for PhD and postdoctoral students in music from around the world. The primary goal of the programme was to support participants in effectively transitioning from academia to the professional market through mentorship.
The Bridge mentorship programme is part of the Erasmus+ project Music4Change, whose key objectives are to enhance the quality of doctoral education in music through innovative and interdisciplinary teaching and learning, as well as to contribute to sustainable development by focusing on the role of music and the arts. The lead partner of the project is the University of Bergen, while other partners include the University of Edinburgh, the University of Groningen, the Gustav Mahler Private University of Music, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the European Music Council from Bonn.
The program officially began in April 2024, with the first informal consultations held in June 2024. This initial informal session provided participants with the opportunity to share their mentorship experiences from the first part of the programme, ask questions, and strengthen their connections with mentors and fellow mentees in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
Mid-Term Workshop: Strengthening Mentoring Relationships and Assessing Progress
On September 26, 2024, we held the Mid-Term Workshop for the current mentoring programme cycle, focusing on key areas aimed at helping participants reflect on their progress and reinforce their mentoring relationships. Participants received a Reflection Questions document designed to guide them in evaluating their experiences so far. The Reflection Questions document remains accessible for ongoing use, serving as a valuable tool for both mentees and mentors.
The workshop emphasized the importance of revisiting and assessing goals as the programme progresses. Participants were encouraged to review or reshape their objectives in their upcoming meetings to maintain focus and ensure continued development in the months ahead.
We also reminded participants of the resources available to them throughout the programme, including the tailor-made Handbook and the Base of Knowledge section on the Creative Mentorship website. These materials cover various aspects of the mentoring process, offering practical guidance to help both mentees and mentors navigate their relationships more effectively.
The Mid-Term Workshop served as a timely opportunity to pause, reflect, and refocus, ensuring that all participants remain on track to achieve their mentoring goals.
Informal Consultations: A Space for Experience Sharing and Participant Connection
On December 4, 2024, and March 11, 2025, we held the second and third consultations for The Bridge programme participants — informal online coffee sessions designed as casual networking opportunities for both mentees and mentors. During the informal consultations, participants in the mentorship programme had the opportunity to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and highlight examples from their mentoring relationships. These sessions provided a valuable space for reflection and exchange, emphasizing that the success of the mentoring process is not solely determined by achieving specific goals but also by the personal growth and progress made throughout the programme.
We encouraged participants to take time to reflect on what they have achieved so far, to consider the next steps in their mentoring journey, and to recognize the new knowledge and skills they have acquired along the way.
It was incredibly inspiring to hear about new projects and learn how mentors and mentees continue to build their professional connections. The consultations also served as an opportunity to further strengthen the community, with participants exchanging valuable insights and recommendations.
The consultations concluded with a strong sense of community and mutual support, reinforcing the importance of both personal and professional growth within the mentoring process.
Wrap-Up: Reflections and Takeaways from the Mentorship Programme
On April 3, 2025, we concluded the latest cycle of our mentorship program with a wrap-up workshop that brought together mentees and mentors to share their experiences, insights, and achievements. The session provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the challenges faced, and the valuable connections formed throughout the program.
For many mentees, the mentorship experience went beyond expectations. Several participants expressed how their mentors became true allies and sources of professional guidance, with some describing each meeting as a masterclass in itself. This feedback highlights the transformative impact that mentorship can have on personal and professional growth.
Mentors, on the other hand, shared their reflections on the dedication, ambition, and openness of their mentees. They emphasized how rewarding it was to witness mentees embrace new perspectives and take steps toward their goals, reinforcing the value of sharing expertise and experience.
Although the final joint workshop within the programme has been held, participants still had a few remaining steps to complete before the program officially concluded. This included holding the last mentoring meeting, followed by a final evaluation. The feedback collected during this process will be crucial for shaping the next edition of the program and for further refining the Creative Mentorship methodology.
Additionally, to facilitate the closure of the mentoring relationship, participants received tailored tools designed to help them reflect on their progress, exchange feedback, and outline potential next steps. These tools serve as a resource for mentees to consolidate their learning and identify areas for further development, while mentors can use them to provide constructive feedback and guidance.
Reflecting on The Bridge: A Successful Global Mentorship Pilot
The Bridge mentorship program was a pilot initiative based on the Creative Mentorship methodology that the organization has been developing for over 13 years. It was also the first mentorship program for PhD and postdoctoral students in music that Creative Mentorship implemented with 22 participants (11 mentorship pairs) from around the world. This presented an additional challenge, which was successfully addressed by delivering the entire program in an online format.
Despite not having the opportunity to meet in person, the Creative Mentorship team focused on creating a safe and supportive environment for all participants from the very beginning. This proved to be a crucial factor in fostering connections, facilitating progress, and developing meaningful mentoring relationships.
All participants demonstrated a high level of professionalism, openness, and willingness to learn and share knowledge. The fact that some participants managed to realize their ideas, launch projects, and secure employment with the support of their mentors even during the program highlights the significance of such mentorship initiatives.
The Creative Mentorship team genuinely enjoyed working with all participants, supporting them in adopting and applying mentorship as a tool for their continued personal and professional growth. By doing so, they are contributing to making the societies in which they live and create a better place.
