Postdoc Academy Workshop: Managing Imposter Phenomenon

New

Most people experience self-doubt at some point in their life. We may not feel as competent or knowledgeable as others perceive us to be, or we may attribute our success to luck.

Such thoughts and emotions are sometimes referred to as impostor phenomenon. Research suggests it is common amongst high achieving individuals such as those working in academia.

This 3-hour workshop will provide a safe and confidential space to explore your own and others’ experiences of imposter phenomenon, and why these feelings can arise.

It will also equip you with a range of different approaches to help manage feelings of self-doubt.

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• understood what imposter phenomenon is and why you might experience it
• explored its impact on your life and career
• identified strategies for managing self-doubt.

Postdocs

If you do not have a CRSID or are otherwise unable to book via the UTBS booking system, please contact development.pda@admin.cam.ac.uk.

In the four days leading up to the workshop (17 – 20 April), keep a log of the negative thoughts you experience, e.g. I should not be at this meeting, I don’t know enough to speak at this conference, I will never complete this review on time, etc.

Research has shown that most people have more negative thoughts than positive thoughts each day. This ‘automatic’ way of thinking feeds into our feelings of self-doubt.

You may not find this exercise easy, but give it a try.

In-person workshop

This workshop will be facilitated by Dr Tracy Bussoli.

Tracy is a Careers and Personal Development Consultant with fourteen years’ experience working with academic staff across a range of institutions including the British Medical Association, UCL, LSE, King’s College London, the Crick Institute, and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.

Tracy did a PhD in the genetics of deafness and has worked as a postdoc with the Medical Research Council, Institute of Hearing Research. She has a diploma in executive coaching, is a qualified MBTI practitioner and a member of the Association for Coaching.

One half-day session