Wellbeing when writing
The Wellbeing When Writing project was run by the Graduate School at the University of Westminster. It was funded 2018-2020 by Research England/Office for Students (OfS) through the Catalyst fund for PGR Mental Health and Wellbeing, with match funding from the University of Westminster.
The University of Westminster had evidence to suggest that doctoral candidates experienced high levels of stress and anxiety at certain points in the year when they were required to submit work for their annual progress review.
In response to this, a series of interactive workshops were held, each directed at a specific year of the doctorate to address the particular demands of that year in terms of writing, and which were adapted across subjects and disciplines.
Experienced teachers of Creative Writing led the workshops, and the exercises and activities they developed are shared below in the University of Westminster's 'Wellbeing when writing' booklet.
Whilst the exercises and activities in the booklet are addressed to doctoral researchers, the materials can also be used by those who support them, such as researcher developers, facilitators, trainers and academic staff responsible for the development of doctoral candidates.
In conjunction with the booklet, Powerpoint slide templates for each session are available, and can be adapted to the needs of your own institution and researchers.
A Wellbeing when writing facilitator's manual has been produced by Vitae, to accompany the University of Westminster's booklet and Powerpoint slide set.
The facilitator manual maps the exercises and activities to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) and can be used by researcher developers running Wellbeing when writing sessions at their institutions.
Download 'Wellbeing when writing' booklet
Download individual Powerpoint session slides:
