Building Our Community’s Understanding of Wellbeing in Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Research Spaces

Research culture and wellbeing are intrinsically linked, as the culture within research environments significantly affects researchers' wellbeing and their ability to maintain a reasonable work-life balance (Wellcome Trust, 2020. What Researchers Think About the Culture They Work In). In this interactive workshop, Dr Elena Riva will guide participants in developing a collective understanding of wellbeing within the doctoral and post-doctoral research spaces. Together, we will explore barriers and enablers, identifying the impacts of different aspects of research life on researchers. Additionally, Elena will briefly take us through recent findings from her research in wellbeing, situating our collective understanding and experiences within a broader, international framework.

Speaker: Dr Elena Riva is the Head of Department at the Institute of Advanced Teaching and Learning at the University of Warwick, and a National Teaching Fellow. Elenas' research focuses on staff and student wellbeing in higher education, specifically on creating academic environments that promote and sustain positive wellbeing. She recently co-authored a NESET European Commission reportLink opens in a new window examining the mental wellbeing of students and staff in European Higher Education Institutions.