Join us for an engaging and practical workshop on mental health in academia. We’ll explore the unique challenges faced by students and researchers, from academic pressures to social isolation, and provide evidence-based strategies for self-care, time management, and resilience. Through interactive discussions and mindfulness exercises, this session aims to equip participants with tools to foster well-being and balance in their academic journey. 

About the speaker: João Miguel Alves Ferreira is a psychologist, data scientist, and molecular and translational neuroscientist candidate. A PhD candidate in Health Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, he has been a contracted researcher at the University of Lisbon and is a member of ERN EURO-NMD. He also supervises medical dissertations at FMUC. A three-time Marie Curie Research Fellow and recipient of multiple academic and literary awards, he is dedicated to research and academic representation.

In this seminar by Dr. Magdalena Bak-Maier, explore what you need to do well by tracing the full PhD journey and how you can use the Grid approach to balance and get what you need done and feel well. 

About the speaker: Dr. Magdalena Bak-Maier is a neuroscientist, inventor of the Grid method, author, and performance coach. She is currently the Founder and Managing Director of Make Time Count, helping people achieve holistic productivity using the power of heart and mind connection.

This seminar highlights the critical role of group support and community building in the academic research environment. This session aims to empower researchers by exploring the benefits of collaborative support networks (group counseling, psychoeducation, writing groups etc.), essential for fostering resilience, enhancing well-being, and improving productivity.

During this seminar, participants are expected to:

• Understand the psychological and professional benefits of participating in group counseling and/or group support structures.

• Learn strategies for creating and sustaining supportive communities within academic settings, whether through formal group counseling or informal support networks.

This seminar is an excellent opportunity for researchers, faculty members, and academic leaders to gain insights into the mechanisms of effective community building. By fostering an environment of mutual support, we can enhance the collective capacity to tackle challenges, advance research, and sustain professional growth.

About the speaker: Dr. Dilara Özel is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with a rich background in mental health advocacy for researchers. She completed her PhD at METU and is currently continuing postdoc research at Glasgow University.

This seminar designed for early career researchers who are navigating the complex pressures of academic life. In this session, I aim to mention the principles of Somatic Experiencing, a body-focused therapeutic approach that offers effective strategies to cope with stress, enhance emotional well-being, and foster a resilient mindset.

Throughout the seminar, participants will:

• Gain an understanding of Somatic Experiencing and its way to cope with challenges faced in academic environments.

• Learn practical techniques to regulate stress responses and maintain equilibrium during high-pressure situations.

• Discover methods to build inner resources and resilience that support long-term academic success and personal growth.

This seminar is an opportunity to learn about managing stress and also a chance to acquire skills that will empower researchers to cope with stress.

About the speaker: Dr. Dilara Özel is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with a rich background in mental health advocacy for researchers. She completed her PhD at METU and is currently continuing postdoc research at Glasgow University.