Coaching and Mentoring in Higher Education: A learning-centred approach

Training Journal, Sept, 2007 by Sally Deller

Coaching and Mentoring in Higher Education: A learning-centred approach Eileen Carnell, Jacqui MacDonald and Susan Askew Institute of Education, University of London ISBN 0-85743-752-9 Paperback 15.00 [pounds sterling]

There has been a great deal written about coaching and mentoring: anyone involved in management training has probably read most of it and may wonder if there is anything new or useful to be said.

Coaching and Mentoring in Higher Education does give a new slant on the topic, as it was written specifically for higher education institutions, although it can be applied to any situation where management coaching is necessary. Academics in HE work alone much of the time, so effective coaching and mentoring is a key issue. They are expected to coach and mentor their students, but one mustn't forget that they too need support, so they can be in both roles at different times.

The authors, Dr Eileen Carnell and Dr Susan Askew, lecturers in the School of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, and Jacqui MacDonald, head of staff development, all at the Institute of Education at the University of London, collaborated to produce this very useful and accessible handbook. Their original objective was to promote coaching and mentoring in HE institutions to enable more effective working practices, and they initially focused on academics writing for publication.

The book is split into six chapters and, coming from an academic background, the authors give us plenty of research references and models. It is well written and easy to read; the layout is easy to follow with plenty of diagrams and models to break the text. Scattered throughout the book are activities which can be used as learning and reflection exercises or for group discussion, and are very useful if building a training session around the content.

There are case studies and, at the end of the book, a series of evaluation questions for coaches/ mentors and coachees/mentees. There is also a very useful CD with the book which has photocopiable handouts of all the previously mentioned activities--another bonus if building a training session.

One of the things about this book that, for me, makes it stand out from others is that it gives clear guidelines on the roles, responsibilities, expectations and boundaries for both coach/mentor and coachee/mentee. It also sets out processes to help in the matching of suitable coaches/ coachees and offers guidance on ethics and confidentiality.

Overall this is a very useful book no matter what profession or industry you work in, and at 15 [pounds sterling], it should be on every trainer's bookshelf.

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