Overview

Academic work increasingly operates in environments of high workload, blurred boundaries, precarity, and strong cultural expectations of availability and performance. While many academics recognise the importance of boundaries, saying “no” often triggers fears about reputation, collegiality, and career progression, particularly in insecure or high-pressure roles.

This interactive workshop explores why boundary setting is difficult and why it matters for sustainable performance, wellbeing and psychological safety.

Drawing on evidence from occupational health psychology, stress science, and cognitive–behavioural research, participants will examine the beliefs, emotional patterns, and systemic pressures that shape boundary behaviour. Using a practical “zones” framework (thriving, surviving, and not coping), participants will clarify their nonnegotiables, early warning signs of overload, and personal red lines. The session builds concrete skills for articulating and holding boundaries, managing discomfort and pushback, and practising realistic boundary conversations.

A final focus addresses the emotional and cognitive barriers that often undermine boundary setting, and how to recognise when stepping away from difficult dynamics is protective.

The session is highly practical and reflective, with structured exercises, real-world examples, and language participants can immediately apply in their professional contexts.

What to expect

Participants will leave with:

A clearer understanding of why boundaries erode in academic systems and why rebuilding them matters for sustainable performance and wellbeing.
A personalised map of their own early warning signs, non-negotiables, and recovery needs.
Practical tools for stating and holding boundaries with colleagues, students, and leadership.
Strategies for managing the emotional discomfort that accompanies saying no.
Increased confidence in navigating difficult dynamics and protecting psychological safety over time.

The Expert

Desiree Dickerson PhD is a clinical psychologist who specialises in the mental health and well-being of researchers and the academic community.

A former researcher in the neurosciences, Desiree works globally with universities, lab groups, and academics in the pursuit of a healthier, sustainable approach to research. She is also a mum of two, in a beautifully, exhaustingly, neurospicy home; committed to sharing the mental and emotional load at home equitably.

Language

English