Coping with emotionally challenging research: a strategic vision for institutional change

• In Event: Researcher Wellbeing and Emotionally Challenging Topics

Abstract

The Researcher Wellbeing Project (Skinner et al., 2023), funded by the UKRI Research Culture Fund, is a recent, cross-disciplinary, mixed-methods study. Our team’s analysis demonstrates that symptoms linked to secondary trauma were common across topics/disciplines. This paper will discuss coping mechanisms participants found helpful and their desired support for future challenges. The data suggest that academics employed various coping mechanisms. Most of these were informal. At the individual level, they included physical exercise and other hobbies. In terms of interactions with others, support came from two primary sources: outside of work (family and friends) and within work (colleagues/networks/peers). Some academics with prior training or experience in other professions used formal support mechanisms, such as wellbeing plans, clinical supervision, and counselling. However, they integrated this support into their academic life without the funding or help of their employer. Only a small minority accessed formal support funded by their institution and arranged in agreement with their line manager. When asked about formal support, the consensus was that there needed to be more. The paper ends with a strategic vision of what Bronze, Silver and Gold Standard institutional responses could look like.

Reference:
Tina Skinner, Kristine Brance, Sarah Halligan, Heather Girling, Paul Chadwick, Emily Tsang (2023) Researcher Wellbeing Project Report, UKRI Research Culture Fund: University of Bath. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376349678_Researcher_Wellbeing_Project_Report_11_12_23

Authors

• Tina Nicola Skinner, University of Bath

• Kristine Brance, University of Bath

• Sarah Halligan, University of Bath

• Heather Girling, University of Bath