Emotionally challenging research: a strategic vision for change

• In Event: Researcher Wellbeing and Emotionally Challenging Research

Abstract

The Researcher Wellbeing Project (Skinner et al., 2023), funded by the UKRI Research Culture Fund, was a cross-disciplinary, mixed-methods study involving academics undertaking emotionally challenging research. Our team’s analysis demonstrated that symptoms linked to secondary and vicarious trauma were common across topics/disciplines. Whilst there were numerous informal coping mechanisms used by researchers in order to minimise the mental health impacts they might sustain when trying to undertake such research. Employers have yet to provide clear formal policy, guidance and processes to formally address this issue. This paper will provide a vision for a strategic approach to researcher wellbeing in relation to emotionally challenging studies. This will include the Bronze, Silver and Gold Standards of institutional responses developed by the Researcher Wellbeing Project.

Author

• Tina Nicola Skinner, University of Bath