Becoming a Resilient Scientist Series
(For questions regarding this series, please contact Tabitha Finch at Tabitha.finch@uvm.edu.)
Navigating school, the career exploration process, research environments, and the stress of life can seem overwhelming and lead us to doubt ourselves just when we need confidence the most. The goal of this series is to help you develop the resilience you need to navigate challenging situations in school, work and life. The series will consist of six webinars, each followed by a small group discussion the following week. Trainees who complete five of the small groups and who participate in, or watch, all of the webinars will receive a certificate upon completion of the series.
The webinars will highlight emotional intelligence competencies needed for academic success and for thriving in research and healthcare careers. We will discuss the cultivation of skills to help you realize resilience and identify and deal with obstacles that get in your way. While you may participate in any of the webinars, it is best to participate in the entire series as the material relates and concepts will be developed throughout the series. The workshops and group discussions in the series are:
Unit I. An Introduction to Resilience and Wellness
Unit II. Exploring our Self-Talk: Cognitive Distortions and Imposter Fears
Unit III. Emotions and Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
Unit IV. Self-Advocacy and Assertiveness for Scientists
Unit V. Developing Feedback Resilience
Unit VI. Managing Up to Maximize Mentoring Relationships
Webinars can be watched synchronously or asynchronously, but should be viewed before the corresponding discussion session. A benefit to attending the webinar live is that you will have the opportunity to ask questions. You must register for each webinar in order to attend it synchronously or to access the recording asynchronously. You can preregister for all six webinars now or do it as we go along.
Discussions are synchronous and will not be recorded for asynchronous viewing in order to maintain confidentiality.
Part I
Webinar: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Register here.
We all experience setback and disappointments in science, work and life. In this webinar we will look at seven key elements of resilience with a focus on building habits that promote healthier responses and resilient behaviors in the face of set-back in educational and work environments.
Discussion: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join here.
Part II
Webinar: Monday, February 15, 2021 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Register here.
We tell ourselves stories about what is happening to us and around us. In this webinar we will explore how our self-talk is generated and look at ways our self-talk can either help us be more resilient or how it can hurt us and hold us back. We will look at two important elements of our self-talk, cognitive distortions and imposter fears and explore ways to recognize internal messages and input from others that distorts our views of our abilities and accomplishments.
Discussion: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join here.
Part III
Webinar: Monday, March 08, 2021 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Register here.
Emotions can play a critical role in how we communicate, navigate relationships, and manage conflict. In this webinar we will discuss Emotional Intelligence and emotions and how they influence our resilience as scientists.
Discussion: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join here.
Part IV
Webinar: Tuesday, March 30, 2021 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Register here.
We all need to develop the skills needed to be assertive and to advocate for ourselves, especially in hierarchical environments where we sometimes feel we do not have a voice. In this webinar, we will discuss how to set boundaries, communicate expectations, ask for feedback and discuss difficult issues with friends, mentors, colleagues and supervisors.
Discussion: Tuesday, April 6, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join here
Part V
Webinar: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Register here.
We all need feedback to grow and learn but we often become defensive and are unable to learn from the feedback we receive, even if it is delivered well. In this webinar, we will talk about why receiving feedback is so difficult and explore ways to stay calm and engaged when receiving feedback. We will also talk about giving feedback in a calm and assertive way so that our voice can be heard.
Discussion: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join here
Part VI
Webinar: Monday, May 10, 2021 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Register here.
We all need mentors to support and encourage us throughout our educational and career journey. In this webinar, we will talk about the mentoring relationship in research environments with a focus on improving your relationship with your PI, finding mentors and on improving communication and interpersonal interactions. The webinar will help clarify what you need from your supervisors and mentors and address how to get what you need from these important interactions.
Discussion: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join here.
Campus Wellness Resources
Northern Vermont University
Norwich University
Counseling and Wellness Center
Saint Michael’s College
Webinars can be watched synchronously or asynchronously, but should we viewed before the corresponding discussion session.
Discussions are synchronous and will not be recorded for asynchronous viewing.
| TOPIC | DAY | DATE | TIME(s)/ET | ZOOM LINK | TITLE & DESCRIPTION |
| RESILIENCE I | An Introduction to Resilience and Wellness | ||||
| Webinar | Tuesday | 1/26/2021 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | [LINK] | We all experience setback and disappointments in science, work and life. In this webinar we will look at seven key elements of resilience with a focus on building habits that promote healthier responses and resilient behaviors in the face of set-back in educational and work environments. |
| Discussion | Tuesday | 2/2/2021 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | [LINK] | Small group discussion |
| RESILIENCE II | Exploring our Self-Talk: Cognitive Distortions and Imposter Fears | ||||
| Webinar | Monday | 2/15/2021 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | [LINK] | We tell ourselves stories about what is happening to us and around us. In this webinar we will explore how our self-talk is generated and look at ways our self-talk can either help us be more resilient or how it can hurt us and hold us back. We will look at two important elements of our self-talk, cognitive distortions and imposter fears and explore ways to recognize internal messages and input from others that distorts our views of our abilities and accomplishments. |
| Discussion | Tuesday | 2/23/2021 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | [LINK] | Small group discussion |
| RESILIENCE III | Emotions and Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace | ||||
| Webinar | Monday | 3/8/2021 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | [LINK] | Emotions can play a critical role in how we communicate, navigate relationships, and manage conflict. In this webinar we will discuss Emotional Intelligence and emotions and how they influence our resilience as scientists. |
| Discussion | Tuesday | 3/16/2021 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | [LINK] | Small group discussion |
| RESILIENCE IV | Self-Advocacy and Assertiveness for Scientists | ||||
| Webinar | Tuesday | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | [LINK] | We all need to develop the skills needed to be assertive and to advocate for ourselves, especially in hierarchical environments where we sometimes feel we do not have a voice. In this webinar, we will discuss how to set boundaries, communicate expectations, ask for feedback and discuss difficult issues with friends, mentors, colleagues and supervisors. | |
| Discussion | Tuesday | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | [LINK] | Small group discussion | |
| RESILIENCE V | Developing Feedback Resilience | ||||
| Webinar | Tuesday | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | [LINK] | We all need feedback to grow and learn but we often become defensive and are unable to learn from the feedback we receive, even if it is delivered well. In this webinar, we will talk about why receiving feedback is so difficult and explore ways to stay calm and engaged when receiving feedback. We will also talk about giving feedback in a calm and assertive way so that our voice can be heard. | |
| Discussion | Tuesday | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | [LINK] | Small group discussion | |
| RESILIENCE VI | Managing Up to Maximize Mentoring Relationships | ||||
| Webinar | Monday | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | [LINK] | We all need mentors to support and encourage us throughout our educational and career journey. In this webinar, we will talk about the mentoring relationship in research environments with a focus on improving your relationship with your PI, finding mentors and on improving communication and interpersonal interactions. The webinar will help clarify what you need from your supervisors and mentors and address how to get what you need from these important interactions. | |
| Discussion | Tuesday | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | [LINK] | Small group discussion |