Become a Mentor for rOpenSci Champions!

rOpenSci is seeking mentors to support our inaugural cohort of rOpenSci Champions!

The rOpenSci Champions Program is for people from historically and systematically excluded groups who are interested in contributing to rOpenSci and the broader ecosystem of open source and open science communities. After receiving training, mentors will work with Champions to develop their project, which can be one of the following options:

• Create a new package;

• Go through the review process with an R package they have already developed;

• Serve as a reviewer for the rOpenSci software peer review system.

Mentors may also support Champions with delivering other activities including: giving a talk, writing blog posts, and teaching other community members.

Role description

Mentors will play a vital role in the rOpenSci Champions Program by helping select the first cohort of Champions and advising and inspiring their mentees. Mentors will also connect their mentees to people, programs, and organizations; recommend, resources, readings, training, and experiences; and provide feedback on the mentee’s project.

We are seeking mentors from the rOpenSci community who have:

• Demonstrated an understanding and ability to work openly and collaboratively;

• The willingness to guide and teach others;

• Previous experience with any of the following:

  • Developing, maintaining or contributing to any rOpenSci package or package which has gone through rOpenSci review, or

  • Participating in the rOpenSci review process, or

  • Package development and/or peer code review.

Mentors will gain mentoring experience and skills, be acknowledged on the rOpenSci website and social media channels, and make new connections across the Champions' networks. By mentoring our selected Champions and helping to shape this program by providing feedback on this pilot year, mentors will also be giving back to the rOpenSci community in a great and meaningful way!

Expectations

The total time commitment is expected to be approximately 1-2 hours per month from November 2022 - December 2023 to complete the following tentative program timeline.

Benefits of being a mentor

By becoming an rOpenSci mentor you will:

• Empower members of historically and systematically excluded groups by sharing your expertise with others;
• Connect with other mentors and with the champion community, expanding your professional network;
• Gain mentoring experience and skills;
• Gain exposure, recognition and acknowledgment for your work as a mentor in rOpenSci spaces (website, social media, events)
• Help rOpenSci and the wider R community grow;
• Co-develop this program and other rOpenSci projects by sharing feedback;

Mentors will participate in a training about mentoring and program logistics as part of their onboarding process and have the support of the Community Manager throughout the program.

How to apply

Please, fill out the application form ( this template shows the information we will require) by Monday November 7, 2022. The application forms have to be completed in English.

Do you have any questions?

Please, contact our Community Manager by email or book a 15 minutes meeting with her.

We will have a Community Call on October 24thto explain and explore the benefits of Champions Programs and a Coworking slot on November 1st to answer any questions you might have about mentoring in this program.