Peer mentoring works!

This report draws on the findings of a three year study into peer mentoring
conducted at 6 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), 5 of which were in the UK,
1 of which was in Norway.
Following a multiple case-study design, quantitative and qualitative research
was conducted in collaboration with the project partners. The research findings
provide empirical evidence that peer mentoring works! In particular the report
provides:
- An Executive Summary outlining the main project findings
- A synopsis of the relevant literature – and a link to a much larger
literature review undertaken at the beginning of the study
- A working conceptual framework and set of research questions
- An overview and rationale of the methodological approach and tools
- Evidence of the value of peer mentoring in promoting a ‘smooth’
transition into university
- Evidence that peer mentoring works by providing the means by which
new students can access peer support in both social and academic
spheres throughout their first year
- Identification of the main challenges of peer mentoring
- Evidence of the manner in which writing peer mentoring works by
providing bespoke help for individual students
- A discussion section in which a new approach to peer mentoring,
Transition+, is proposed.
The report concludes with recommendations for: Higher Education Institutions:
Students: Policy Makers: and, Individuals within HEIs wishing to establish peer
mentoring.