2nd IEEE Mentorium Workshop: Building Blocks for Early-Career Researchers (Mentorium 2026)

Goal of the Workshop

The Mentorium workshop aims to strengthen the participation of early-career researchers in the IEEE COMPSAC community by combining professional development, mentoring, and aware-ness opportunities. Its primary goal is to inspire students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and young professionals to engage actively with IEEE and COMPSAC, while also providing them with practical skills to enhance their research careers. By fostering collaboration with senior professionals, the workshop aspires to create a sustainable platform for guidance, knowledge transfer, and long-term community building.

Workshop Theme

Mentorium 2026 focuses on empowering the next generation of researchers by offering mentorship, networking, and structured professional growth opportunities. The workshop will highlight the importance of voluntary roles within IEEE, such as reviewer, committee member, and session chair. It will provide concrete guidance on securing research funding, improving academic skills, and building leadership potential. It will further promote inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that early-career researchers from varied backgrounds can benefit equally from mentoring and collaboration.

Scope of the Workshop

The workshop welcomes both formal submissions and informal proposals. Formal contributions may include short papers, posters, or demos that present research ideas, prototypes, or case studies related to emerging areas of computer science and software applications. Informal proposals may focus on discussion topics, mentoring formats, or community-building activities that enhance the workshop experience. Subjects of interest include effective mentorship practices, strategies for training early-career researchers as reviewers, approaches to inclusive professional development, guidance on transitioning from doctoral studies to academia or industry, and methods for sustaining mentor–mentee relationships.

Planned Activities

The programme will include a panel discussion with senior COMPSAC volunteers, who will share their experiences and highlight the value of long-term engagement with IEEE. Training and mentoring sessions will cover essential skills, including academic writing, presentation, and peer review, while dedicated networking events will connect early-career researchers with mentors and peers in informal settings. Demo and poster sessions will provide participants with the opportunity to showcase their research and receive direct feedback. Additional activities, such as the Junior Discussant Programme and roundtable discussions, will further stimulate dialogue and professional growth. Guidance on securing grants and funding will also be provided, enabling participants to navigate the challenges of research careers better.