We are currently looking for researchers and those working with research-related roles to contribute to a culture change project that will focus on researcher wellbeing, from PhD to Professor. A 2017 report by the RAND Corporation revealed that:
- Higher education staff report worse wellbeing than those in other types of employment with levels of work-related stress appear to be higher among university staff than in general working populations and are comparable to ‘high-risk’ groups, such as healthcare workers.
- PhD students face similar challenges to other researchers and higher education staff – The main factors associated with the development of depression and other common mental health problems in PhD students are high levels of work demands and work-life conflict, low job control, poor support from the supervisor and exclusion from decision making.
- Academics appear to not be disclosing their mental health conditions – UK national statistics indicate that only 6.2 per cent of university staff disclosed a mental health condition to their employer, but academics have been found to be among the occupational groups with the highest levels of common mental disorders with a prevalence of around 37 per cent.
- Evidence on the effectiveness of mental health interventions is limited – The majority of interventions aim to support researchers to deal with workplace stress, but they may not be effective in addressing the root causes of that stress or wider mental health problems relating to life outside work.
The Team will be responsible for undertaking research, reviewing policy and best practice, developing an action plan, and supporting the delivery of the action plan in the area of researcher wellbeing.
Participating in the project will give you access to range of developmental opportunities, including cross-disciplinary teamwork, research leadership, co-authoring publications, designing and delivering developmental and support initiatives, policy analysis and review, applying for relevant funding, producing reports, papers, business cases, and action plans; and attending national training and development programmes.
The level of commitment in terms of time can be adapted to suit personal interest and professional development. It is expected, though, that all project team members dedicate a minimum of 2 days per month.
To apply to join the Project Team, please complete this short application form. Successful applicants will be notified by mid March. Closing Date is 22ND March.
For PGRs, we are looking at estalbishing paid internships for these projects and these will be announced in the PGR newsletter.