The PGR research proposal form now includes an inquiry into students' awareness of the potential impact their research may have on their wellbeing. Subsequently, this aspect will be revisited in the ethics application.
Moreover, students conducting sensitive or emotionally challenging research will be able to access pre-recorded webinars, delivered by the RWN on a host of researcher well-being (RWB) related topics via a dedicated tile on Canvas. These sessions, presently under development, aim to equip students with the necessary preparation for undertaking such work and fostering reflective research practices.
Explicit consideration of RWB has been added to the online ethics application process, with a specific question asking if the research is sensitive and/or potentially traumatic. If the applicant answers ‘yes’, they are encouraged to complete an RWB template and submit this with ethics applications. Ethical approval will not be withheld if this is not done.
The RWN carried out an online pilot survey aiming to investigate the impact on RWB when engaging with sensitive, and/or emotionally challenging materials or subjects. This survey aimed to gather insights from researchers within the ARU community, informing a broader initiative to establish an adaptive support system for both staff and students exploring such sensitive areas.
We have compiled a report that outlines significant findings and trends derived from the survey data. Additionally, the report identifies potential areas necessitating improvement to better support the wellbeing of researchers in this domain.
The next phase of this research involves qualitative interviews, which will be held to further explore the impact of RWB on members of the ARU community undertaking sensitive and/or emotionally challenging research.
The RWN are currently developing a series of training sessions to promote RWB for researchers of all levels of experience.
The RWN have developed and delivered the RWB webinar series, which commenced in February 2024. These sessions are open to all and comprise a series of interactive presentations, delivered by one or two members of the RWN as well as external colleagues working in sensitive or emotionally challenging research.
Each session covers an area of the presenters’ expertise or a related topic surrounding RWB. Series one followed the journey of the research process, flagging areas where RWB may be impacted or need to be considered – for example, preparing for sensitive research, conducting sensitive research, analysis and reflective practice.
These sessions were recorded and are being developed to be used as training materials.
The second webinar series commenced in December 2025 and is ongoing. To sign up for the upcoming sessions or for more information, email [email protected]
The RWN have developed informal peer support groups, which provide a safe space for ARU researchers who consider their area to be sensitive or emotionally challenging in any capacity to come together to share their experiences of this work, and any personal impacts it may have on them. In the first instance, the peer support groups are open to ARU staff members and PGRs who research sexual violence. These sessions commenced in spring 2024 and take place once a month.
Find out more about and register for upcoming Peer Support Group sessions (ARU staff only, login required).
The RWN is proud to announce this one-day symposium, taking place on ARU's Chelmsford campus, which has been designed to create space for reflection, learning, and practical support for researchers navigating sensitive and emotionally challenging research.
Bringing together researchers, practitioners, and professional support staff from across disciplines, the symposium will explore RWB from both conceptual and applied perspectives. The day is structured to move deliberately from theory into practice: beginning with research-led talks and conceptual discussions on RWB, and progressing into interactive sessions and hands-on workshops focused on practical strategies and sustainable approaches.
Attendees will have opportunities to engage with trauma-informed perspectives, reflect on the emotional dimensions of research practice, and develop tangible tools to support resilience, care, and ethical best practice within their own work and institutions from our free researcher wellbeing workshops.
Find out more and register for the Researcher Wellbeing Symposium.