Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ for Mentors:

Q: How long is the mentorship program?

A: Although the aim is to create a long-term mentor-mentee program, we will start at a small scale with only 32 mentees in 2021, with a six month program.

Q: Who can be a mentor?

A: Anyone who is a Ph.D. in economics/public policy/applied economics/agricultural economics (for e.g., tenure-track/tenured faculty in an academic institution; economists in research organizations/think tanks; governments, NGOs, private sector; and consulting).

Q: How will mentors be selected?

A: We will recruit mentors through open calls as well as by invitation. This will include a one-page essay on your approach and philosophy towards mentorship, and an interview with AMIE’s Mentoring Team. 

Q: Can the mentor continue in the program for longer?

A: Yes, and that is one of the objectives. However, this also depends on feedback from the AMIE’s Mentoring Team

Q: Will a mentor be asked to write a letter of recommendation for their mentee?

A: This is encouraged and is one of the goals of this program. However, AMIE understands that this would be at the sole discretion of the mentor. We encourage you to let the mentee know whether you feel comfortable being their reference (or not).

Q: Can mentors establish research collaboration with the mentees?

A: Yes, this is encouraged and is one of the goals of the program. However, this would be at the sole discretion of the mentor. The mentor may also facilitate other connections for the mentee, and connect them to other researchers in the profession with whom to potentially collaborate

Q: Will AMIE conduct an impact evaluation of this program?

A: Yes. We believe it will be useful to credibly document the success or failure of this program through rigorous evaluation. This will also allow us to improve the program over time by finding out what works vs. what doesn’t work. Before we do any evaluations, we will obtain the necessary ethical approvals, and consent of any participant will be obtained beforehand.

Q: Can I participate in this program even if I don’t want to be included in any evaluations?

A: Yes. We will ask for consent before enrolling anyone in an evaluation, and those that do not consent can still continue to participate in AMIE’s programs. There are no evaluations being conducted in 2021.

FAQ for Mentees:

Q: How long is the mentorship program?

A: Although the aim is to create a long-term mentor-mentee program, we will start at a small scale with only 32 mentees in 2021, with a six month program.

Q: Who can be a mentee?

A: Anyone who is doing or is a recent Ph.D. in economics/public policy/applied economics/agricultural economics in the US as well as outside the US. We encourage scholars, especially those from underrepresented minorities (URM), LGBTQIA++ community, first-generation college, and international students (in the US and outside the US), to apply. However, PhD students and junior scholars from all backgrounds may apply.

Q: How and when will mentees be selected?

A: We will recruit mentees through open calls. The first cohort of 2021 consists of 32 students selected through our 1st Workshop in Applied Microeconomics. We will scale up the program, and announce a call in early 2022, for the mentee cohort of 2022.

Q: Can the mentee continue in the program longer?

A: Yes, and that is one of the objectives. The AMIE mentoring team will try to create mentor-mentee matches for the long term, as much as possible. This may, however, depend on the availability of an appropriate mentor.

Q: Can the mentee serve as a mentor in future?

A: Yes, conditional on meeting the criteria set the AMIE’s Mentoring Team.

Q: Can a mentee ask their mentor for a letter of recommendation?

A: Yes, however, the mentee must respect the final decision of the mentor without making them feel uncomfortable. Typically, it takes some time before a mentor gets to know their mentee well enough to serve as a letter writer. Therefore, this is not an automatic process.

Q: Can mentees establish research collaboration with the mentors?

A: Yes, this is encouraged and is one of the goals of the program. However, research collaborations typically happen organically, and this is something that the mentee will learn as they interact with mentors, peers, and others in the profession.

Q: Will AMIE conduct an impact evaluation of this program?

A: Yes. We believe it will be useful to credibly document the success or failure of this program through rigorous evaluations. This will also allow us to improve the program over time by finding out what works vs. what doesn’t work. Before we do any evaluations, we will obtain the necessary ethical approvals, and consent of any participant will be obtained beforehand. There are no evaluations being conducted in 2021.

Q: I am a recent PhD, but I am not at an academic institution. Can I still apply?

A: Yes, all recent Ph.D.’s in economics/public policy/applied economics/agricultural economics in the US as well as outside the US may apply.

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