Program Overview

Resilience and Well-Being in Academia

Course Information

The course "Resilience and Well-Being in Academia" is an online program designed for doctoral candidates and postdocs of the University of Basel. The course is free of charge and has a limited number of participants (minimum 6, maximum 20).

Course Schedule

• Date: Tuesday, 21 April 2026, 09:00 Uhr - 12:00 Uhr
• Date: Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 09:00 Uhr - 12:00 Uhr
• Registration start: 21 January 2026, 09:00 Uhr
• Registration deadline: 24 March 2026, 12:00 Uhr

Course Objectives

The objective of this course is to learn to navigate academia in a healthy and sustainable way by building effective thought and behavioral patterns to challenge common causes of stress, worry, and self-doubt.

Course Content

• Recognize common challenges faced in academia and understand that one is not alone
• Identify self-sabotaging thought processes that undermine well-being and productivity, including imposter syndrome, worry, low motivation, and uncertainty
• Identify behaviors that impede success (e.g., procrastination and avoidance) and explore more effective (and healthier) short and long-term strategies
• Learn to shift mindset to create more mental clarity and mental energy to think, create, be present, and thrive

Course Format

• Large and small group discussions and activities
• Independent thought exercises and workbook activities
• Use of psychological tools such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness meditation, and applying them to everyday challenges

Target Audience

• All doctoral candidates and postdocs

Instructor Information

Desiree Dickerson, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in the mental health and well-being of researchers and the academic community. A former researcher in the neurosciences, Desiree works globally with universities, lab groups, and academics in pursuit of a healthier, sustainable approach to research.

Workload

• Course attendance: 8 hours

Special Notes

• Once registration is open, applications will be collected for 24 hours, and course places will be allocated by lot
• All registrations received after the initial 24-hour period will be put on a waiting list and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis
• Course places/places on the waiting list will be confirmed by email
• Full course attendance is mandatory
• Participants who fail to attend a course without prior notification or withdraw after the registration deadline are subject to a fee
• Participants who cancel their course registration at a later point in time, are absent without an excuse, or do not attend the entire course will not be considered for course registration in the following semester and will be removed from other courses offered in the same semester

Location

• Online via Zoom