The CSM is launching a new mentoring program which aims to bring together scholars at different stages of their careers to share information and to network over the course of one year. Our hope is that medievalists will remain connected with one another time and meet from time-to-time as we cross paths conferences; however, agreeing to participate in the CSM mentoring program requires a minimum one-year commitment.

How does it work?

The CSM mentoring program will consist of a one-to-one pairing among medievalists seeking mentorship on specific issues. The mentor and mentee will meet virtually (that is, via phone or video conference) at least once per year for one hour. Mentors and mentees may also choose to hold their meeting at Congress if both are attending.  

Pairs may be in touch more frequently, especially through email; however, mentors and mentees should discuss expectations regarding the frequency of communication at the start of the program. See expectations section below. That said, one annual meeting during the year is the minimum to which we expect participants to commit. Either member can withdraw from the program at any point.

This mentoring program aims to create horizontal relationships among colleagues.

Who is eligible to participate?

The CSM mentoring program encourages participation from scholars at every stage of their career, from graduate school and early career medievalists to more established researchers in the field. In order to participate in the CSM mentoring program, you must be a member of the society in good standing. Attendance at the annual conference at Congress is not required.  

Formation

The CSM Executive is responsible for coordinating and matching up individuals. Individuals may sign up to be both a mentor and a mentee, depending on specific needs. For example, one person may be able to offer advice on publication but seek mentorship on taking on administrative roles. To that end, we ask that you indicate areas in which you would most like to be mentored, and/or to mentor others. 

Our aim is to match participants in ways that best align their interests and mentoring needs; however, we also aim to avoid creating partnerships in which a senior medievalist is seen to be primarily or solely responsible for providing feedback to whatever concerns arise. The mentoring discussions that we envision are spaces for solidarity and fruitful conversation in which all members benefit from the experience of one another.     

After mentoring partnerships are created, we will send an announcement along with additional information for ensuring helpful meetings as well as about how you might begin the conversation.

Expectations for Professional Behaviour

The CSM Mentoring Program aims to promote collegial and supportive relationships among colleagues at different stages of their career as medievalists. This code of conduct outlines the types of actions that promote such relationships and further strengthens our community.

All participants in the mentorship program are to:  

• be treated with courtesy, respect, and cooperation 

• have personal or confidential information handled with discretion 

• treat other participants with courtesy, respect, and cooperation 

• help create a safe and supportive space for discussion

The Canadian Society of Medievalists is committed to fostering an environment that is free of harassment. All members of the society share responsibility for establishing and maintaining a climate of respect and for taking appropriate steps to address situations which violate this principle or seek advice. 

Participants in the mentoring program should comport themselves according to the values of nondiscrimination, dignity, and courtesy. Participants should also acknowledge the rights of others in the program to hold diverse values and opinions. The practice of mutual respect fosters a sustainable environment for freedom of expression and open inquiry. Members may withdraw from this program at any point.

The Canadian Society of Medievalists is concerned with safeguarding the rights of vulnerable persons. A vulnerable person may be defined as a person who is more susceptible to harm as a result of his or her current status in society. Vulnerable persons are in positions that may make individuals susceptible to abuse or more specifically susceptible to mistreatment by those who may potentially hold power over them. 

To this end, any form of harassment will not be tolerated. The Canadian Society of Medievalists views harassment as abusive, unfair, or demeaning treatment of a person. Harassment occurs when the harasser attempts to exert power over the harassed through behaviour designed to intimidate or distress. Harassment implies that an individual is not worthy of respect and that the views and person of that individual hold little or no value.

Harassment harms the individual, the organization, and the profession in far-reaching and long-standing ways. Harassment includes demeaning, humiliating, and threatening actions, comments, jokes, other forms of verbal and/or written communication, body language, and physical contact, based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, religion, physical and mental ability, or any other legally protected characteristic, and intersections thereof. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to unwanted sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; other verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature; offensive or suggestive jokes or remarks; inappropriate personal questions or conversations; unwelcome or nonconsensual physical contact, such as patting, hugging, or touching; display of sexually explicit, offensive, or demeaning images except for scholarly analysis; leering or ogling; sexual remarks about someone’s clothing or body; repeated requests for dates after having been told no; and retaliatory behavior.