Mental health and well-being

Advice on effective mental health support for students and staff to create a happier, healthier campus. Find out how universities and academics can promote well-being, 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 and healthy habits for overworked academics and students.

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

By dene.mullen, 23 March, 2022

Health workers need tech training – for themselves and their patients

Healthcare professionals need help from universities and higher education when implementing new tech into their practice

There are huge risks involved if current and future healthcare professionals have to take up new forms of practice such as video consultations without sufficient training

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 22 March, 2022

Why and how to bring physical movement into the classroom

Advice on why and how to bring movement into your classes to improve learning outcomes

There are multiple benefits to bringing regular movement into the classroom, research shows. Stephen Braybrook lists the concerns that prevent educators from doing so, and offers guidance to overcome them

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen, 21 March, 2022

How to stop unconsciously discriminating against international students

How to stop unintentionally discriminating against international university students in your classroom through your pedagogy

Using enquiry-based learning gives overseas students agency and helps them decide for themselves how they want to be included in the learning process, says Dylan Williams

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen, 18 March, 2022

Want students to exercise more? Make it part of their course

Cycling, running and other forms of exercise can be encouraged among university students by tutors who offer academic credits for exercise

The body hears everything the mind says, so it is said. That is certainly true when teachers offer extra academic credits in return for physical activity, says Roberto Villaseñor-Roldán

Reading time

3minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 18 March, 2022

Emotions and learning: what role do emotions play in how and why students learn?

illustration of outline of heads showing different emotional states, detail, emotions and learning

If educators understand the factors that interplay with emotional states to affect learning, they can work with this to enhance the learning experience. Here are six strategies to manage the role of emotions in learning

Reading time

5minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 15 March, 2022

How to disagree about Covid vaccination and manage other difficult university staff discussions

Group of protesters illustrating article about vaccine hesitancy, difficult conversations, empathy, listening

Jonathan Lord outlines the role of empathy and listening skills in navigating potential conflict when colleagues disagree about sensitive issues such as vaccination

Reading time

5minutes

Mental health and well-being