Towards gender equality in research and academia: conceptualising and practising inclusive mentorship through community building, co-creation and art-based methods

Purpose This paper explores inclusive mentoring as a transformative tool for promoting gender equality in European academia and research. It reflects on the work of COST Action VOICES, which addresses systemic barriers and inequalities disproportionately affecting women and marginalised groups. The paper critically examines mentorship programmes, highlighting power imbalances, intersectionality and the role of participatory, co-creative and art-based approaches in reshaping mentoring practices. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on collaborative initiatives led by VOICES, the paper presents findings from an exploratory mentoring mapping exercise. Additionally, it reflects on the inclusive mentoring summer training held in Bilbao in 2024. Art-based methods and participatory co-creation workshops were employed to capture lived experiences of mentors and mentees, resulting in the development of ten guiding principles for inclusive mentoring. Findings The paper reveals significant inconsistencies in the availability, sustainability and evaluation of mentoring programmes across Europe. It identifies key challenges, including unequal access, lack of intersectional approaches and limited institutional support. Despite these barriers, inclusive mentoring models emphasising reciprocity and reverse mentoring show promise in enabling resilience, psychological safety and systemic change. The co-creation of guiding principles reflects a collective vision for mentoring as a tool for empowerment and solidarity. Originality/value This paper offers a novel contribution by integrating intersectional feminist approaches with art-based and participatory methods to redefine mentoring. It underscores the necessity of nurturing mentoring frameworks as dynamic ecosystems, requiring continuous care and collaboration to sustain progress in equality, diversity and inclusion.