Healthy Minds in Academia: Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
cls imprs-is 14 October 2026 - 14 October 2026 Workshop
All community members are welcome to join for this webinar exploring how perfectionism and imposter syndrome affect researchers, offering strategies to reduce self-criticism, build confidence, and foster healthier approaches to work.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 9:00–10:30 CEST | Online
What’s this about?
Perfectionism and imposter syndrome are widespread in academia, particularly in environments that value excellence, competition, and constant evaluation. Many researchers feel pressure to perform flawlessly while simultaneously doubting their competence or fearing they don’t truly belong.
This 90-minute online webinar that creates space to explore these experiences in an open, reflective, and supportive way. The session focuses on understanding how perfectionism and imposter feelings develop in academic settings and how they can impact well-being, confidence, and long-term motivation.
Participants will be invited to reflect on unhelpful internal standards, reduce self-criticism, and explore healthier ways of relating to achievement, failure, and self-worth in research contexts.
About Our Trainer: Dr. Desiree Dickerson
Desiree Dickerson is a clinical psychologist and former postdoctoral researcher in neuroscience. With international experience in New Zealand, Australia, and Austria, she now works in Spain supporting academics in cultivating healthier approaches to research, thought patterns, and self-care.
About Healthy Minds in Academia
Now in its 3rd year, Healthy Minds in Academia is an initiative committed to destigmatizing mental health challenges in the academic world. We aim to foster open conversation, promote mental health literacy, and support the well-being of researchers and staff at every stage of their careers.
Healthy Minds in Academia brings together our research community to talk openly about the challenges we face — from imposter phenomenon to burnout — and the tools we can use to support ourselves and each other.
Who can join?
This onsite workshop is open to all members of our academic community. Participation details will be shared via community mailing lists.
Questions about how to join?
Reach out to Sara at sara.sorce@tuebingen.mpg.de