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Intersectional Mentorship in Academic Medicine: A Conceptual Review

Author

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  • Jae M. Sevelius

    (Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Orlando O. Harris

    (Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA)

  • Lisa Bowleg

    (Applied Social Psychology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

Abstract

Academic medical institutions seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce to foster equitable, supportive environments in which early-stage investigators, especially those who are underrepresented in medicine, can thrive. Intersectionality is a critical theoretical framework rooted in Black feminist activism and scholarship that elucidates how power and privilege are differentially structured for groups at different intersectional sociodemographic positions. As a dynamic method of analyzing multiple axes of power and inequality, intersectionality has the potential to offer a critical lens through which to view the mentor–mentee relationship. In this article, we seek to elaborate upon and extend the concept of intersectional mentoring, elucidate its essential components, and explore its application in the context of mentoring early-stage investigators in academic medicine. We propose that intersectional mentorship requires an orientation toward deep cultural humility, lifetime learning about the impact of systemic oppressions on present-day opportunities and experiences of mentees, and changing systems that perpetuate inequities by centering praxis—the application of principles of intersectionality through action to transform power dynamics in academic culture and institutions. Intersectional mentorship can help build a more equitable and representative workforce to advance intersectionally relevant and innovative approaches to achieving health equity.

Suggested Citation

  • Jae M. Sevelius & Orlando O. Harris & Lisa Bowleg, 2024. "Intersectional Mentorship in Academic Medicine: A Conceptual Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:503-:d:1378901
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Bowleg, L., 2012. "The problem with the phrase women and minorities: Intersectionality-an important theoretical framework for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(7), pages 1267-1273.
    3. Merylin Cross & Simone Lee & Heather Bridgman & Deependra Kaji Thapa & Michelle Cleary & Rachel Kornhaber, 2019. "Benefits, barriers and enablers of mentoring female health academics: An integrative review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(4), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Lynda B. Ransdell & Taylor S. Lane & Anna L. Schwartz & Heidi A. Wayment & Julie A. Baldwin, 2021. "Mentoring New and Early-Stage Investigators and Underrepresented Minority Faculty for Research Success in Health-Related Fields: An Integrative Literature Review (2010–2020)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-35, January.
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