Join us for this 90-minute webinar as we reflect on self-critical thought patterns to develop healthier ways of navigating the mental and emotional demands of academic research.
Healthy Minds in Academia: Taming the Inner Critic
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 9:00–10:30 CET | Online Led by Dr. Desiree Dickerson
What’s this about? Motivation and procrastination are common, and often misunderstood, parts of academic life. From juggling multiple projects to working under uncertainty and long timelines, researchers frequently struggle to start, sustain, or complete their work, even when they care deeply about it.
This 90-minute online webinar explores why procrastination occurs in research contexts and how motivation fluctuates over time. The session offers a supportive space to reflect on personal work patterns and introduces practical strategies to help participants work with, rather than against, their motivation.
Participants will gain tools to better understand common mental blocks, reduce self-blame, and develop more sustainable approaches to structuring work in demanding academic environments.
About Our Trainer: Dr. Desiree Dickerson Desiree Dickerson is a clinical psychologist and former postdoctoral researcher in neuroscience. With international experience in New Zealand, Australia, and Austria, she now works in Spain supporting academics in cultivating healthier approaches to research, thought patterns, and self-care.
About Healthy Minds in Academia Now in its 3rd year, Healthy Minds in Academia is an initiative committed to destigmatizing mental health challenges in the academic world. We aim to foster open conversation, promote mental health literacy, and support the well-being of researchers and staff at every stage of their careers.
Healthy Minds in Academia brings together our research community to talk openly about the challenges we face — from imposter phenomenon to burnout — and the tools we can use to support ourselves and each other.
Who can join? This session is mainly targeted at doctoral researchers and postdocs but is open to all members of our academic community. It will be held online, with access details shared via community mailing lists.
Questions about how to Join? Reach out to Sara at sara.sorce@tuebingen.mpg.de
Healthy Minds in Academia: Complete 2026 Series
Let’s build a healthier, more open academic culture—one conversation at a time.
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