Grieving From Wellness: An Introspective Look at the Impacts of COVID-19 on Doctoral Students

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Emotional Regulation and Well-Being Among Early Career Faculty and Graduate and Professional Students (Table 7)

Abstract

This working paper explores the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on doctoral students, centering on well-being, institutional support, and transformative advocacy efforts triggered by a fellow student's tragic suicide. Grounded in Native Self-Actualization and Blackfoot tribal beliefs, the narrative unfolds through a self-narrative lens, revealing multifaceted impacts and shifts within academic settings. Anticipated findings emphasize the transformative potential of advocacy efforts, institutional support, and the need for a student-centered paradigm. This contribution addresses a scholarly gap by providing insights into the challenges faced by doctoral students during the pandemic, calling for a cultural shift in academia and prioritization of well-being.

Author

• Ariana E. Romero, University of California - Riverside