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Organizers:

The QUEST Center, Community and grassroots partners from Berlin research community.

Participants and Objectives:

This virtual brainstorming and networking event will bring together a group of early career researchers as well as partners from the Berlin research community who have interest in or are currently engaged in initiatives to improve mental health in the research community.

Topics may include strategies for managing: 

  • Uncertainties related to conducting research during lab and clinic shutdowns 
  • Social isolation 
  • Parenting and caregiving during the pandemic 
  • “Lessons learned” about coping strategies 
  • Steps different stakeholders (research groups, grassroots organizations, institutions...) can take to reduce stress for early career researchers 

Based on the discussion from the event, we will work together to create resources on how to support early career researchers during the pandemic. These will include actions that early career researchers can take, as well as things that other stakeholders can do (e.g. mentors and supervisors, departments or institutions).

Format:

We will draw upon participants’ shared experience by conducting a 3-day Virtual Brainstorming Session using Microsoft Teams. This format provides an open forum for an asynchronous discussion that allows participants to identify shared interests and generate ideas at their own pace. Participants do not need to be online the entire time – they are encouraged to check in 3-5 times during the event to share their thoughts and respond to others. The virtual brainstorming session will be accompanied by virtual “coffee chats” and a virtual Open Space to allow participants to get to know each other and organize or participate in live discussions to share experiences and talk about brainstorming questions or explore topics that emerge during the brainstorming.

Additional Resources:

This event focuses on improving the experiences of early career researchers in general. The event organizers cannot provide counseling or therapy. If you need acute help, want to reach out or are interested in existing initiatives and measures to improve mental health of early career researchers, please follow these links to learn more about existing resources:

https://www.ecn-berlin.de/mental-health/where-to-find-help.html

https://dragonflymentalhealth.com/

Disclaimer: These links are being provided for your convenience and for informational purposes only; the BIH QUEST Center bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.