At the end of 2025, ALPSP invited our Mentors & Mentees from the year to talk about their experiences with the ALPSP International Mentorship Programme. Gathered together in a short series of blog posts across January, we hear from the individuals who have taken part in the programme, and the many ways they have benefitted from doing so. 

In today's publication, we hear from Mentor & COO (PA EDitorial), Sarah Hands, as well as from Mentee & Senior Marketing Manager (Oxford University Press), Neha Mistry, as both similarly discuss finding time in amongst busy lifestyles to focus on themselves, their experience, and shared growth and learning opportunities.

Mentor,

Sarah Hands, COO, PA EDitorial 

‘Have I really got time?’ 

‘Do I have enough experience to be useful to someone else?’ 

‘What if the conversations are awkward, or I don’t know what to say?’ 

These were all questions that were buzzing around my head as I considered whether to sign up for the ALPSP mentorship scheme. Yet I took the leap – and I’m so glad I did.  

With a fairly busy life – juggling work and home responsibilities – opportunities for genuine reflection can be limited, and I came to the conclusion that this was an opportunity not to be missed. Having attended ALPSP annual conferences, I already knew there was a strong, supportive community and signing up for the mentorship scheme felt like another way to be part of that network. If a relatively small investment of my time could genuinely support someone else’s development, it quickly began to feel like an easy decision. 

The scheme’s support shone through from the start. There were lots of resources available, including live sessions, and before I even met my mentee for the first time, I felt I’d already learned a lot. It quickly became clear that mentorship isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating an open, supportive environment where both people can think, learn, and reflect together.  

Once I met my mentee, the experience soon became both enjoyable and energising. I loved the opportunity to listen, to understand their background, where they were in their career, and what they hoped to gain from the mentoring relationship. What struck me almost immediately was how much common ground we shared. Despite working in a different organisation, being at a different career stage and coming from a different background, many of the challenges and questions they raised felt incredibly familiar.  

That sense of shared experience gave me confidence that the insights I offered – drawn from my own career highs, lows, and lessons learned – could genuinely be of value. At the same time, it became an unexpected opportunity for self-reflection. Talking through their challenges prompted me to revisit my own journey, to remember the moments when I felt uncertain or stretched, and to recognise how far I’ve come.  

The opportunity to connect with someone else in scholarly publishing outside my own organisation was invaluable. Issues such as integrity concerns, the influence of AI, system migrations, and shifting expectations of authors and reviewers are significantly impacting how we work, and it is easy to lose perspective. Having a trusted space to reflect on these issues and explore different viewpoints was a highlight for me. 

The experience has renewed my appreciation for the challenges faced by early-career colleagues, reminded me of the importance of empathy in leadership, and strengthened my connection to the wider publishing community.  

To anyone considering the ALPSP Mentorship Scheme, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. You don’t need to be an expert; you simply need openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from someone with a different experience of the publishing world. It offers space for mutual growth and a chance to strengthen the supportive community our industry – and the wider world – increasingly needs. 

Mentee,

Neha Mistry, Senior Marketing Manager, Oxford University Press

I’ve worked in scholarly publishing for over 15 years and, like most people, my to-do list is packed with tight deadlines, big goals, and keeping up with the latest trends. Add family responsibilities, and it’s easy for personal development to slip down the list. That’s why the ALPSP mentorship scheme caught my eye - it felt like a rare opportunity to pause, take a step back, and focus on myself for a change. 

Signing up wasn’t an easy decision. I wondered if I could really make the time, and whether it would feel relevant at this stage of my career. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that making time for myself isn’t selfish - it’s important. When do we ever get the chance to put ourselves first? 

From the very first conversation with my mentor, I knew I’d made the right choice. Alison was generous with her time and full of wisdom, always ready to listen and share thoughtful advice. Our chats felt less like formal meetings and more like honest, energizing conversations that gave me space to breathe and think differently. We covered so much - from tackling big presentations to planning a workshop and finding ways to grow my network. Every conversation left me with practical tips and a boost of confidence. 

One piece of advice from Alison that will stay with me forever was simple but powerful: keep looking up and out. It helped me not to get lost in the daily whirlwind, but to stay focused on the bigger picture, even when things feel overwhelming 

This experience wasn’t just about professional development - it was about personal growth too. It reminded me that learning never stops, no matter how long you’ve been in the industry. I feel refreshed, motivated, and ready to make space for myself amid all the demands of work and life. 

If you’re wondering whether to join the ALPSP mentoring scheme because you’re “too busy,” that’s exactly why you should join. Whether you’re new to publishing or a seasoned professional, mentorship offers something we all need - perspective. It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and grow in ways that can transform not just your work, but your outlook. 

The ALPSP mentorship scheme has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. When everything’s changing, having someone remind you that you’ve got this makes all the difference.  

 

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About Sarah

Sarah Hands is the Chief Operating Officer at PA EDitorial, where she leads operational strategy, business development, and the delivery of high-quality editorial and peer review services for a range of well-known publishers and societies. With a background in scientific research, she brings 15 years of experience in the publishing industry. 

 

About Neha

Neha Mistry is a Senior Marketing Manager at Oxford University Press, managing a global team responsible for journals in the Science and Arts & Humanities disciplines. She is passionate about partnering with societies and editors to help their journals thrive, connect with the right audiences, and make an impact. Within her role, Neha champions mentorship to inspire confidence and growth across the publishing community.  

 

About the ALPSP Mentorship Scheme

New for 2026!

We’re excited to introduce Self Match to our programme this year. Designed to empower you to take control of your mentorship journey. Whether you're looking for guidance or eager to support others, Self Match gives you the freedom to discover, explore, and connect with the people who inspire you most, helping you identify the match that aligns most with your ambitions and growth.

• More control over who you connect with
• More visibility into the community of mentors and mentees
• More meaningful matches based on shared goals
• More flexibility in building relationships when the time feels right

Self-Match will open on 3 February 2026. You will be able to browse your recommended matches based on our customised algorithm, and search by skills and goals, then select the person you would like to be matched with.

You can send them a brief message explaining why you’ve chosen them and what you’re hoping to achieve. Participants will be able to make one request at a time, and respondents will have 14 days to accept or decline. If they accept, you’re matched and you loop begins. If they decline, you can continue to explore other matches.

And don’t forget our programme is open all year round so new mentors and mentees can join the self-match pool at any time.