Mental health and well-being

Advice on effective mental health support for students and staff. Find out how universities and academics can protect their campus community from spiralling stress, minimise the risk of burnout and build resilience - from institutional practices that create a culture of care to personal self-care tips for overworked academics.

By dene.mullen , 24 May, 2022

Using empathy in the classroom can have a great impact on learning

Empathy is an important quality for tutors to practice in the classroom

Instructors can take many small steps to make their classrooms a more enjoyable and positive space for students

Reading time

3minutes

By Miranda Prynne , 18 May, 2022

How universities can support refugee students and academics

Image of refugees walking on their way to Europe

Afghan Chevening scholar Naimatullah Zafary, who was among the last people to be airlifted to safety from Kabul, explains how institutions can support refugee students and staff who arrive in an unfamiliar country after experiencing perilous journeys and severe trauma

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen , 13 May, 2022

Are your first-year students disengaging? Here’s how to get them back on board

University student staying in bed and disengaging

From creating distinct spaces on your VLE to discuss first-year study to checking in with absentees, Katherine Mansfield provides tips for re-engaging students

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne , 8 April, 2022

Learner, student, graduate: a toolkit for student identity formation and critical reflection

Advice on guiding students in developing their sense of identity through transitions from education into work

A toolkit to guide students in developing and critically reflecting upon their own identities and journeys as they progress through higher education and into professional life

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen , 7 April, 2022

Does seeing others’ success on LinkedIn make you unhappy?

Social media can make you sad, so here's how to battle the LinkedIn

LinkedIn can help you find a job and promote yourself, but it may also leave you questioning your own career trajectory – here’s how to combat the social media blues

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen , 6 April, 2022

Why I choose not to teach with social media

Smartphone and social media addiction is a real danger - and academics would be complicit if we don't start questioning its use more readily

If social media is eventually revealed as a grave threat to public health, the academy’s unquestioning adoption of it could make scholars complicit

Reading time

3minutes

By Miranda Prynne , 5 April, 2022

Engaging public health faculty to make healthier campus decisions

University students wearing covid masks as they walk around campus

As universities move from a crisis response to ongoing management of Covid-19, this guide outlines why and how to engage public health faculty in campus decision-making

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen , 29 March, 2022

Thinking about quitting your PhD? Maybe that’s the right decision

Sometimes quitting your PhD and leaving academia can be the most rational move for students

Sometimes not completing a PhD is the rational choice, and having open conversations around it helps stop people feeling isolated and uncertain, says Katherine Firth

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen , 28 March, 2022

Social media can help new students make friends – but we must regulate it

University emoji friends: encouraging students to make friends on social media before starting university is a great idea, as long as there are protections in place

There’s much to like about employing social media to help nervous students make connections before being dumped on campus, but universities must not overlook their duty of care

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen , 25 March, 2022

Universities must take a more holistic approach to social mobility

Opening the door to higher education requires a holistic approach for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Financial support is only part of the equation – human and social capital are also crucial for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds, says Andrew Burke

Reading time

4minutes

Mental health and well-being