Doctoral School

Well-being for researchers: perfectionism and fear of failure

Cluster

Leadership and Efficiency

Target audience

Doctoral Candidates

Teacher

Jo Bogaerts

Abstract

Early career researchers face unique challenges that place them at increased risk for mental health issues. Recent studies highlight that PhD candidates are significantly more likely to experience symptoms of common psychiatric disorders compared to the general population. The most common symptoms include feeling under constant strain and feeling unhappy and depressed. At an institutional level, one of the foremost reasons that explains these issues are high expectations. At a personal level, many researchers struggle with perfectionistic ideas. This course addresses both aspects and offers ways to deal with them. By becoming aware of both structural and personal causes we aim to prevent mental health issues and support researchers who are struggling. This interactive workshop will be organized in a safe environment and for small groups. 

Objectives

Participants will:

  • Gain insight into the mental health challenges commonly experienced by doctoral researchers and understand why these challenges occur more frequently in academia than in many other professions.
  • Explore current research on mental well-being among PhD candidates and early career researchers.
    Recognize how institutional factors, such as high performance expectations, uncertainty, competition, and workload, can affect mental health.
  • Understand how personal convictions and limiting beliefs (belemmerende overtuigingen) can contribute to perfectionism, self-criticism, and psychological distress.
  • Explore the concept of perfectionism in academia and learn to distinguish healthy striving from maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies.
  • Discover how Transactional Analysis can help identify personal drivers (e.g. Be Perfect, Please Others, Try Hard, Be Strong, Hurry Up) that shape behaviour and influence stress responses.
    Learn to recognize early warning signs of mental distress in themselves and others.
  • Reflect on ways to shift attention from achievement and external validation towards learning, growth, and process-oriented goals, drawing inspiration from the principles of optimalism (see the work by Liesbet Boone).
  • Develop practical strategies for managing expectations, coping with setbacks, and fostering sustainable well-being throughout the doctoral journey.
    Become familiar with available support resources and pathways to professional help when needed.

By combining scientific evidence, reflective exercises, and practical tools, this workshop aims to help doctoral researchers better understand both the structural and personal factors that influence mental health and to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable approach to academic success.

Dates and venue

16 November 2026

Leslokaal 1.1 (Campus Ledeganck)

Programme

13:00 – 13:20: Introduction and getting to know each other

13:20 – 13:50: What is mental health? Understanding the well-being spectrum and available support

13:50 – 14:20: What does research tell us about the mental health of doctoral researchers?

14:20 – 15:00: The academic context: expectations, pressures, and structural challenges in research careers

15:00 – 15:15: Break

15:15 – 15:55: Perfectionism in academia: when striving for excellence becomes a risk factor

15:55 – 16:35: Personal convictions and Transactional Analysis: understanding limiting beliefs and personal drivers

16:35 – 17:10: Recognizing warning signs

17:10 – 17:45: From achievement to process: applying principles of optimalism to academic life

17:45 – 17:55: Personal reflection exercise and action planning

17:55 – 18:00: Round-up, resources, and next steps for support and self-care

Registration

  • Follow this link for the registration and waiting list. We check if you are eligible to participate. Due to limited places, we give priority to PhD students. Your registration will be confirmed by separate e-mail (outlook invite).
  • Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.

  • The no show policy applies.

Registration fee

Free of charge for Doctoral School members.

Number of participants

Maximum 10

Language

English

Evaluation method

After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.