Mentors are similar to “peer reviewers” but with a much more creative role: to connect and catalyze. They have a potential role in commenting on the research projects that emerge, with the overall aim to ensure that the Biomedical Data Science Innovation Lab leads to high-quality innovative research.

At the start of the BDSIL, their job is to encourage new ideas by asking questions, highlighting ideas that seem exciting, and making connections between participants and to the wider body of knowledge.

The Mentor role changes towards the end of the BDSIL, when they are often asked to adopt a more critical perspective in order for them to be able to assist in the funding recommendations. Mentors work to provide objective advice and input to the participants.

Mentors have the following characteristics:

• Intellectual standing

• Knowledge of some aspect(s) of the subject area

• Impartiality and objectivity

• Interpersonal skills

• Capacity to instruct and guide by asking provoking questions

• Ability to act as a peer reviewer and a subject guide

• Enthusiasm for the workshop topic and the event

• Willingness to collaborate with a facilitation team

• General desire to see the participants succeed in coming up with novel proposals

Mentors need to have credibility with the participants. They should represent a range of different academic perspectives, be curious and ambitious about the science, and be very good at connecting and catalyzing. This is also critical: they have to stay neutral and avoid getting too involved in any of the ideas.