Training and Organisational Wellbeing (PRO BEN)
The PRO-BEN project promotes psychological wellbeing, prevents emotional distress and fosters a healthy academic environment. Funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), it brings together ten Italian universities and higher education institutions under the coordination of the University of Calabria. At SISSA the project is coordinated by the Equal Opportunities Committee (CUG) and is addressed to PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, research fellows and technical-administrative staff.
Individual and group counselling are part of the project: see Listening and Psychological Support.
Training activities, typically two-to-three-hour workshops, open to the whole school community. Topics include effective communication, collaboration, stress management, time management and conflict resolution, chosen to boost both wellbeing and performance in a demanding environment.
Sessions are scheduled according to the community’s expressed needs and announced by CUG email, on social media and on posters around the School.
Two leadership programmes, one for women and one for faculty and researchers.
Women in Leadership Programme
A six-month pathway combining at least five workshops and two individual coaching sessions to help women build leadership skills, expand their networks and overcome barriers to career progression. It takes a wellbeing-focused approach, covering strengths-based management, healthy communication, values-based leadership, conflict transformation and leading diverse teams.
It is aimed at women in senior and leadership roles, as well as at emerging female leaders among scientific staff (PhD students, postdocs, PIs) and technical-administrative staff. The goal is to build healthier ways of working that support a more respectful and collaborative institutional culture.
Research in Leadership Programme
The programme addresses a common gap: scientific excellence does not guarantee management skills. Aimed at faculty, senior researchers and newly appointed PIs at SISSA, it builds capacity in three areas (team management, conflict resolution and self-care to prevent burnout) through a hybrid mix of group workshops and one-to-one executive coaching.
A yearly programme of talks, panel discussions and public conversations dedicated to mental health, wellbeing and life in academia. By encouraging exchange across disciplines, roles and perspectives, the events aim to foster greater awareness, reflection and understanding of the human dimensions of study, work and community life.
A series of free, guided outdoor walks along scenic trails in the Trieste area, including the Napoleonic Road, the Rosandra Valley and the Farneto Forest, run as part of the PRO-BENE-COMUNE project with the University of Trieste, SISSA and CUS Trieste. The walks pair physical movement with guided conversation on wellbeing topics (motivation, stress management, sleep hygiene, handling mistakes, goal-setting), using guiding questions to spark reflection and connection among participants.
The walks are open to the whole SISSA community by reservation and take place on Saturday mornings and Wednesday late afternoons in May, June and September.