Imposter syndrome in doctoral students: what it is and how to deal with it
prof.ssa Sara Carletto
Dates:
July 19, 2024 - 16:00-18:00 The location of the seminar will be communicated as soon as possible
Educational objectives:
Impostor syndrome (IS) involves feelings of perceived fraudulence, self-doubt, and personal incompetence that persist despite one’s education, experience, and accomplishments.
Several studies have shown that PhD students could be at especially high risk of developing IS, given the multidimensional evaluations they receive from peers, students, and professors.
The aim of this seminar is to raise awareness among PhD students of this phenomenon and its effects on both their emotional well-being and academic performance, and to provide practical strategies to support them in coping with feelings of IS.
Program:
Definition and basic understanding of impostor syndrome (IS);
The history and origin of IS and its prevalence and common manifestations among PhD students;
Identifying signs and symptoms of IS;
Description of the various factors that contribute to impostor syndrome, including perfectionism, the impostor cycle and cultural influences;
Discussion on the negative effects on mental health, academic performance, and career progression;
Strategies for managing and overcoming IS;
Exploring techniques for building resilience in the face of IS and the importance of seeking support and mentorship;
Interactive exercises and group discussions on self-awareness and self-compassion.
Teaching tools / methods:
Powerpoint presentation, brief videos, paper sheets, coloured pencils. Integration between online plenary lessons, interactive work in subgroups and guided individual experiences.
Learning assessment methods:
At the end of the seminar, the PhD students will be asked to answer reflection questions on the topics discussed during the seminar.
Recommended texts and bibliography:
Michelle Addison, Maddie Breeze, Yvette Taylor (Eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Imposter Syndrome in Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan Cham, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86570-2
Bravata, D.M., Watts, S.A., Keefer, A.L. et al. Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review. J GEN INTERN MED 35, 1252–1275 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1
For all PhD students
For registration, please fill out the form by July 15, 2024