Info session: Holding complexity - A Psychological Developmental Pathway for Doctoral Researchers

During the info session, we will present the training programme "Holding complexity - A Psychological Developmental Pathway for Doctoral Researchers" aimed at doctoral students. The offer is intended to support the development of emotional and physical skills useful for approaching research work in a more stable and sustainable way. The courses will offers tools for maintaining energy, continuity and orientation even in times of uncertainty or precariousness, helping participants to recognise and value their inner resources.

The project, developed by the Equal Opportunities Service and USI in ascolto and funded by swissuniversities as part of the PgB 25-28 “Equité” program, proposes a training course aimed at developing ability to "live with complexity" in advanced research contexts, learning to deal with situations of uncertainty, contradiction and plurality without oversimplifying problems too quickly, maintaining open and flexible thinking over time.

The course will addresse the main cognitive and emotional challenges of doctoral study, in which knowledge is often constructed through trial and error, revisions and not always straightforward steps. The focus is on the ability to tolerate ambiguity, to keep questions open and to work with ideas that are still in development, without losing a clear direction in one's research path.

At the end of the course, participants will have acquired tools to:

• remain engaged in complexity without feeling overwhelmed,
• recognise the pressure to oversimplify theoretical or empirical problems,
• integrate different points of view while maintaining a solid research position.

The activities will take place in English, in person, and will include theoretical sessions and practical activities dedicated to psychological well-being.

Programme

Theoretical sessions 

• The safety circuit: constructive and dysfunctional aspects of workplace relationships
• Emotional struggles along the way: performance anxiety, fear of the future, frustration, anger, etc.

Practical activities

• Development of somatic resources
• Psycho-physical awareness practices

The course will be led by Elena Micaela Cianitto and Daniela Bertamini, both experts psychologists and psychotherapists.

We look forward to seeing you at the information session on February 11 (12:30-2:00 p.m.) for more information!
It will also be an opportunity to create and support networking among doctoral students from different faculties. The event will be accompanied by a lunch offered.

To participate in the info session, please register via the following link: REGISTER