Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Mitigating dilemmas in postgraduate researcher mental health and well-being project implementation: critical reflections from three former implementers.

Valeix, Sophie; Moss, Rachel; Morris, Charotte

Authors

Sophie Valeix

Rachel Moss

Charotte Morris



Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to present the critical reflections of three women implementers formerly working in projects that seek to support the mental health and well-being (MHW) of postgraduate researchers (PGRs), which has become a recent focus for UK researchers and policymakers. The paper offers an experience-based perspective on tensions in PGR-MHW project implementation by providing personal accounts of several social dilemmas the authors encountered. From reflecting on experiences, the authors derived recommendations for mitigating such dilemmas when designing and delivering future projects. Design/methodology/approach: First, the experiences of dilemmas as female project implementers of PGR-MHW projects were recalled, listed and discussed and identified broad overarching themes. Second, one dilemma for each of the three themes was fleshed out according to the ones that carried meaning for how the role was personally experienced. Third, what the accounts of dilemmas meant for project implementation and outcomes was analyzed. Then the findings to existing literature where similar tensions were identified were linked, including how these could be mitigated. Findings: The dilemmas experienced as implementers in PGR-MHW projects fit among three interconnected themes: identity, values, and motivations and relationships. It was showed that, although they may be hard to see, the dilemmas presented in this paper impede project’s success, outcomes for PGRs and implementers’ well-being. Mitigating such dilemmas when designing, funding, implementing and evaluating future projects is not straightforward, and the findings in this article open avenues to tackle this problem. Originality/value: Focusing on reflections of female implementers, the paper provides an original perspective on PGR-MHW project evaluation. Using reflective writing as a research tool allowed us to identify overlooked dilemmas in project implementation. Honest and critical accounts of implementers’ experiences revealed important lessons such as different framings of project success, the intersection between the personal and the professional and individual responsibilities in project networks.

Citation

VALEIX, S., MOSS, R. and MORRIS, C. 2021. Mitigating dilemmas in postgraduate researcher mental health and well-being project implementation: critical reflections from three former implementers. Studies in graduate and postdoctoral education [online], 12(1): mental health and wellbeing in postgraduate research, pages 58-72. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1108/SGPE-08-2020-0058

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 4, 2021
Online Publication Date Feb 4, 2021
Publication Date Apr 30, 2021
Deposit Date Mar 16, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 16, 2021
Journal Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education
Electronic ISSN 2398-4686
Publisher Emerald
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 12
Issue 1
Pages 58-72
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/sgpe-08-2020-0058
Keywords Implementation; Mental health; Project; Dilemmas; Implementers; Postgraduate researcher
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1255075

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations