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.

Father with his child at a laptop working

Four ways to achieve a better work-life balance in academia

Switching off can be a considerable challenge for those working in higher education, even though it is essential for a work-life balance and well-being

Rushana Khusainova

The University of Bristol

Young woman with her palm facing the camera

Addressing sexual misconduct in higher education, part one: prevention

Sexual harassment and violence perpetrated by academic faculty or staff towards students and early career researchers is a complex issue that requires a proactive institutional response, writes Anna Bull

Anna Bull

University of York

Young woman with US cash and mobile phone, financial difficulty

How to support students when financial aid falls short

When students lack money for books, transport or even food, universities have ways to help them manage and stay on track with their studies. Jerry Price looks at strategies for assisting students in financial need

Jerry Price

Chapman University

A food pantry can help support your campus through the cost-of-living crisis

Food insecurity and hunger affect students’ mental and physical well-being as well as their academic performance. Karina Escobar, Fatima deCarvalho and Lauren Dinour offer advice on establishing a successful community food pantry

Lauren Dinour, Fatima deCarvalho, Karina Escobar

Montclair State University

Nourishing bodies and minds: the vital role of a student food pantry

The rising costs of education and living expenses leave many students struggling to stretch their funds to cover basic necessities. In this landscape, the university’s student food bank can offer a lifeline, writes Isabelle Largen

Isabelle Largen

Virginia Tech

How to support your staff during personal crises

A little-discussed aspect of leadership is how to support faculty and staff during times of trouble. Here, Helen Norris offers advice for making space and effective communication

Helen Norris

Chapman University

A team of white water rafters battle the rapids

Build yourself a life raft by establishing a strong mentor relationship

Mentorship can offer a place of stability amid the choppy waters of a new role. Ibiyemi Omeihe explains how to find your new guide

Ibiyemi Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

Young black woman rubs temples at laptop, frustration

Strategies for cultivating academic resilience

In a career that will make you question everything, challenge and failure are tools for moving forward, writes Andrew Stapleton. Here, he offers techniques to build resilience after setbacks

Andrew Stapleton

Independent academic

Three scientists in white coats converse in a laboratory

How to turn an average collaboration into a dream team

In this extract from ‘Scientific Collaboration’, Jeanne M. Fair advises scientists to hone the skill of collaboration for better research

Jeanne M. Fair

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Creating safe spaces for students to talk about financial difficulties

Poor financial health can lead to mental health difficulties and isolation for students. Here, Caroline Deylaud Koukabi and Joanna West offer tips for giving students inclusive spaces to discuss concerns amid the cost-of-living crisis

Caroline Deylaud Koukabi, Joanna West

University of Luxembourg

A manager high-fives a member of staff around a meeting room table

Six tips for when you’re moving up into management

Making the leap into administration can feel daunting, but Yağmur Çerkez’s advice will help you to develop the skills and strategies you need to thrive

Yağmur Çerkez

Near East University

How our Study Together programme promotes belonging and improves well-being

By offering students a space to meet, study and socialise outside the classroom, universities can improve engagement and reduce feelings of loneliness on campus

Gemma Standen

The University of East Anglia

The transformative power of mentoring in historically black colleges and universities

HBCUs’ culture of generosity and community has much to offer all colleges and universities, write Marybeth Gasman and Levon T. Esters. Here, they distill their research into four key elements

Marybeth Gasman, Levon T. Esters

Rutgers University, Penn State University

How to keep LGBTQ+ students safe when studying abroad

What can universities do to help their LGBTQ+ students study abroad and travel the world, without compromising their safety? Raquel Recuero provides advice

Raquel Racuero

Healix

A glowing tool icon is generated from a tablet by a woman in the background

Use technology to boost productivity and beat burnout

Ayşe Hyusein advises using a range of techniques and tools for more effective time management

Ayşe Hyusein

Near East University

A hand uses a laptop trackpad as candles burn in the background

Protect your emotional well-being for a happier writing experience

Writing academic papers can be a long and emotional journey. Burcu Totur Dikmen offers her tips for emotional well-being

Burcu Totur Dikmen

Near East University

A multigenerational group of people link arms and gaze into the sunset

To build a community in higher education, start from the ground up

Gareth Morris and Fiseha Berhanu Tesema outline grass-roots initiatives to help make your campus a socially cohesive place to work and study

Gareth Morris, Fiseha Berhanu Tesema

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China

How to work smarter, not harder in higher education

From effective delegation and tech integration to building networks and embracing self-care, here are some practical tips for academics seeking balance

K. V. Sriram

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Targeted support to enhance retention among first-generation students

Outreach initiatives and support programmes can address first-generation students’ challenges, such as belonging and financial literacy, while increasing retention and graduation rates. Here, Charmaine Troy shares her recommendations

Charmaine Troy

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

An illustration of trapeze artists in business suits, performing a catch

How to build trust as a research supervisor

Building trust is a crucial foundation of the supervisor-supervisee relationship. Kingsley Omeihe argues it’s a two-way process

Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

‘Resilience is grit amid uncertainty’

In this extract from ‘The Resilient University’, Freeman Hrabowski and co-authors offer the resources and mindset that higher education institutions need to develop to sustain themselves through challenges and crises

Freeman Hrabowski, Peter H. Henderson, Lynne C. Schaefer , Philip J. Rous

University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Eight ways to improve your digital well-being

To counteract the detrimental consequences of excessive screen time and digital overload, we must take a thoughtful and balanced approach, writes Nisha P. Shetty

Nisha P. Shetty

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

A mountain climber helps another up a steep hill

What does a research supervisor do?

Research supervisors must learn to be authentic mentors, as well as sharing their experience and knowledge. Robert Crammond reflects on his time in the role

Robert Crammond

University of the West of Scotland

A woman looks shocked as she browses a laptop

Give students the tools to judge difficult materials in context

After Osama bin Laden’s viral 'Letter to America', Nicholas Chan provides a pedagogical pathway to tackling difficult material

Nicholas Chan

Australian National University

It can be different: managing time, tasks and well-being in academia

Academic careers are often associated with long hours, overwhelming workload and burnout – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Understanding the nature of knowledge work can help, says Katrina McChesney

Katrina McChesney

University of Waikato

Woman holding small umbrella over wooden figure

Struggle, strength and growth: safety as an engine for change

Talking about experiences with purpose in a safe space can help develop students’ life skills. Here are strategies and techniques that foster an environment and feeling of security

Kathleen Chim, Lai Tsz Chui, Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

How to survive the academic treadmill

When working hours are stretched to cover marking, induction and other tasks, what is a busy scholar to do? Here, James Derounian offers suggestions for taking essential downtime

James Derounian

University of Bolton

A range of international flags, shot from below

Four key hurdles international students face – and what to do about them

How can we make international students’ academic journey a positive one? Katherine Mansfield suggests ways to alleviate their social, academic and language challenges

Katherine Mansfield

The University of Westminster

A tray with a jar of bath salts, lilies and towels sits on the edge of a candelit bathtub

Let’s prioritise self-care for the benefit of everyone

Self-care can make us better at our jobs, support our students more effectively and help to build a better community across academia. Karina Dancza offers her tips on how to implement self-care in your professional life

Karina Dancza

Singapore Institute of Technology

Saddle pressure mat used to teach horse riding

Get off your high horse: using technology to make equine courses more inclusive

A group of educators at Scotland’s Rural College have reached more diverse students by using wearable technology to update traditional methods of teaching horse riding

Jennifer Fitzpatrick

Scotland's Rural College

Two women walk away from the camera, their arms around each other's shoulders

Ease the transition for international students with a holistic peer-mentoring programme

Enlist peer mentors to help make international students’ transition on to your campus a smooth one. Naia Robinson shows how

Naia Robinson

Australian National University

Young man in conversation with supervisor

Five ways to support PhD students’ well-being

Doctoral researchers are often absent from university discussions around well-being support, writes Jenny Mercer. Here, she argues that their situation requires bespoke attention and sets out ways this might be achieved

Jenny Mercer

Cardiff Metropolitan University

A student uses a chat bot while she studies

Three ways AI can support student success and well-being

A virtual assistant helped free up human resources at the University of Galway and revealed student issues that staff could not have predicted

Josephine Walsh

University of Galway

VR can be used to improve students' mental well-being

How the shores of a VR island promote student well-being and social connections

Virtual reality environments can create safe and relaxing spaces for students, offering them mindfulness meditation and social connection, says Pete Bridge

Pete Bridge

University of Liverpool

A blueprint for supporting students affected by forced migration

Higher education institutions should be places of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people affected by forced migration. Here’s how the Universities of Sanctuary Network is working towards this aim

Madeleine Dutton, Sophie North

The University of East Anglia

Let’s make the international student experience as valuable as the degree

Given the unique challenges international students face, how can universities create an inclusive and supportive community? Educators share suggestions for helping international students thrive

Multiple authors

The University of Adelaide

Campus interview: Laura Allen at Trinity University on connecting student well-being with natural world

Can spending time in natural environments support students’ well-being? Trinity University professor Laura Allen joins this video podcast to tell us more about an innovative course exploring this question with undergraduates that combines research, theory and practice

Laura Allen

Trinity University

A row of matches becomes increasingly more burnt out

Stamp out burnout early on: how to spot the signs and what to do about them

Academic life has always been a breeding ground for burnout. Şerife Eyüpoğlu of Near East University points out the warning signs of extreme exhaustion

Şerife Eyüpoğlu

Near East University

A buffet table, groaning with food, stretches nearly as far as the eye can see

A smorgasbord of strategies to help international students feel included

Educators are like seasoned chefs with the responsibility to create harmonious classroom environments that celebrate the flavourful cultural diversity of international students, says John Sinclair

John Sinclair

Colorado State University Global

Managing professional jealousy: navigating challenges and fostering growth

Self-awareness, self-improvement, gratitude, open communication and a growth mindset can help you tackle inevitable encounters with jealousy constructively and create a more positive, supportive work environment in the process

Tariq Al-Musawi

Al-Mustaqbal University

People in an office collaborating on a project

How to collaborate effectively to support care-experienced students

It’s clear there is still work to be done to support young people with care backgrounds coming into higher education. Here are lessons that Louise Harrison, Kate Murray and Alison Shaw have learned

Alison Shaw , Louise Harrison, Kate Murray

Newcastle University

Trauma-informed approaches can help address bullying in higher education

Universities must take a compassionate, trauma-informed approach when tackling bullying in higher education, argues Glen Cousquer

Glen Cousquer

The University of Edinburgh

What is your academic writing temperament?

Many early career researchers struggle to write enough. The key is to move away from an abstract notion of productivity and towards a productive writing process, explains Rachael Cayley. Here, she offers questions to help ECRs find their writing rhythm

Rachael Cayley

University of Toronto

Navigating the choppy waters of intercultural differences in an international classroom

Farish A. Noor draws on three decades of teaching across different continents to offer advice on the challenges inherent in teaching students from diverse backgrounds

Farish A. Noor  

University of Malaya

How to help international students prepare for university life ahead of and after their arrival

Ayten Ordu provides five top tips that will help ensure international students have a smooth transition to their new surroundings

Ayten Ordu

Near East University

A student engages with immersive technology

Plunge students into experiential learning with immersive rooms

Tor Alexander Bruce shares advice on creating extended reality rooms and building purpose-designed settings to promote student well-being and learning

Tor Alexander Bruce

Northumbria University

A woman curled up in a self-protective upset posture

Eight ways to improve responses to sexual misconduct in universities

Measures to enhance UK universities’ response to sexual misconduct cases and create a more compassionate and effective system

Melissa Hamilton , Ioana Enany , Amy Knight

University of Surrey, St George’s, University of London

Two women having an intimate conversation

How to nurture socio-emotional intelligence in doctoral students

A whole-institution approach to supporting the socio-emotional development of doctoral students so they become confident and adept early career researchers

Camila Devis-Rozental

Bournemouth University

Menstruation, maternity, menopause: making space in the academy for all elements of womanhood

Do women’s health policies in higher education meet the needs of those they are meant to serve, and how might the stigma relating to aspects of womanhood be addressed?

Christina Dzineku, Devon Oakley-Hogg

Leeds Trinity University, University of Glasgow

How to combat the mental health crisis on campus

From staff training to nap pods and on-campus emotional support animals, universities have well-established and novel ways to help students to better mental health and well-being

Jonathan Koppell

Montclair State University

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