AI Insight
Melanie Stefan advocates for senior researchers to share their "CV of failures" with mentees, documenting rejected papers, failed grant applications, and other career setbacks. After gaining recognition for writing about failure in academia, Stefan now encourages transparency about professional disappointments as a mentoring tool. This approach aims to provide junior colleagues with realistic expectations about the challenges inherent in scientific careers.
Why it matters
Sharing failure narratives can help reduce imposter syndrome and unrealistic expectations among early-career researchers who typically only see colleagues' successes. This practice could foster healthier academic cultures by normalizing setbacks as part of the research process and improving mentor-mentee relationships.
Understand the Science
Nature, Published online: 26 October 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03410-7
Melanie Stefan became a ‘poster child of failure’ after writing an article about it. Now she urges senior colleagues to be more open about career setbacks.
Source: Mentoring a lab colleague? Share your ‘CV of failures’ with them