I dieci anni del Progetto Mentore all’Università degli Studi di Palermo

Abstract

The "Mentore Project for Teaching" at the University of Palermo represents a decade-long effort to enhance academic teaching through a structured, peer-based mentoring program. Originating in 2013 from the initiative of three faculty members concerned about the future of higher education, the project sought to shift focus from the traditionally research-dominated academic culture to one that equally values teaching excellence. Inspired by international best practices, particularly from the UK, the founders adapted mentoring models to the Italian academic context, creating a collaborative network aimed at professional development and pedagogical innovation. Over the years, the project expanded to include more than 120 faculty members across all academic disciplines, eventually becoming an institutional initiative in 2018. This transformation enabled access to resources, increased visibility, and allowed the organization of workshops, seminars, and an annual residential retreat that fosters interdisciplinary exchange and community building. The project has not only improved teaching practices but has also become a research topic in itself, bridging the gap between teaching and scholarship. It stands as a model for how grassroots initiatives can evolve into transformative institutional practices that promote inclusive, participatory, and high-quality university teaching.