A new website that will be the first of its kind in Wales to offer wellbeing resources for PhD students has been launched by Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Following research that reports this cohort with higher stress levels and an elevated risk of mental ill health, compared with undergraduates and the wider population, Researcher Wellbeing Cymru (RWC) is designed to help doctoral researchers navigate their studies.
A pan-Wales project, RWC has been led by Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth University, and co-created with Swansea University, Bangor University and Cardiff University, University of Wales Trinity St David and the University of South Wales.
Funded by Medr, the website will have over 130 bespoke online resources, including tips on how to work with a supervisor, manage time and keep motivated. Students can also connect with peers across Wales to help foster a healthy sense of wellbeing.
Dr Jenny Mercer, Reader in Qualitative Approaches to Applied Psychology, and Graduate Studies Lead at Cardiff Met has been leading on RWC. Dr Mercer’s extensive work and research into the wellbeing of PhD students saw her shortlisted in the Times Higher Education awards in 2023.
Dr Mercer said:
“It is well established that doctoral research programmes are less structured than other university courses which can lead to a sense of overwhelm and isolation. Researcher Wellbeing Cymru has been designed to help navigate the doctoral journey whatever stage or phase students are at.
“This online digital platform is evidence based and can help doctoral researchers become more resilient, identify beneficial ways of working and in doing so promote healthy progression across their programme.”
More information on the Researcher Wellbeing Cymru (RWC) can be found on the website.
