Wellbeing workshops - Michaelmas Term 2025

Available to all University staff

Please see listed below our programme of events for Michaelmas Term 2025. These workshops are free and open to all University staff who are curious about the science and strategies behind feeling well at work and beyond. Delivered by researchers and clinicians, these sessions will dive into a wide range of topics across mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Booking links can be found alongside the talk titles. For mental health awareness training, please visit this page. For further information, please contact the Wellbeing Programme Team at wellbeing@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

Register for a session

Location: Porters' Lodge, Corpus Christi College, Merton Street, Oxford, OX1 4JF

Description: Through different pathways to engaging with nature, the session offers the opportunity to experience the wellbeing power of the natural world from the University’s own grounds. The Corpus garden displays a 17th Century Copper Beech tree, prehistoric Wollemi Pine tree, a historical old door linking Christchurch College and Corpus Christi College, and offers a roof garden with splendid views over Christchurch. Join us to reset and to explore Corpus Christi’s garden walk, which is thought to have influenced Lewis Caroll with its small wooden doors. 
 
The session will include:

  • A welcome to the Gardens – An introduction to the College's varied and beautiful grounds. 
  • Noticing Nature – Engage your senses to fully experience and feel the depth of the natural world.  
  • Communal Reflection (optional) – Integrate your experience and connect with others by sharing insights and reflections.

If you'd like to share a seasonal poem or quote, or if you have any questions, please email genista.astell@spc.ox.ac.uk.

There is no need to book for this session, just turn up!

Location: The Studio, University Club, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ 

Description: During this session on menopause and nutrition we’ll discuss what happens during menopause, the most common symptoms, and how they affect daily life. Together, we’ll explore how adopting a balanced diet and staying active- before, during and after the menopause- can make a real difference in easing symptoms and improving overall wellbeing. This workshop is designed to empower women with practical strategies for managing menopause, including guidance on nutrition, supplements, lifestyle habits, and everyday tips for wellbeing. 

Speaker: Tiziana Luciano is a Registered Nutritionist with a background in Food Science and a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition. Inspired by her Italian roots and love for food, she’s passionate about helping others improve their health through personalised nutrition grounded in scientific evidence and guided by the principles of the Mediterranean diet. 

Book here

Location: Online

Description: Divided into two modules, delivered over two three-hour periods on consecutive days, this training aims to give a general overview of neurodiversity and neurodivergent conditions and equip line managers with the tools they need to manage and support neurodivergent individuals.  
Module 1 on 1st October will cover: 

  • What is Neurodiversity? 
  • What are Neurodivergent Conditions? 
  • Sensory Environments, Executive Functioning, Stimming and Masking 

Module 2 on 2nd October will cover:  

  • Disclosure and Starting Conversations 
  • Performance and Absence Management 
  • Reasonable Adjustments 
  • Signposting  

Speaker: Creased Puddle are a UK-based neurodiversity consultancy who specialise in neurodiversity training, coaching consultancy and speaking.

Book here

Location: Seminar room 1 & 2, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM), IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Headington, Oxford OX3 7TY

Description: This 90-minute interactive training session provides a foundational introduction to mental health awareness within the workplace. Participants will be introduced to evidence-based strategies for promoting psychological wellbeing, learn to recognise signs of poor mental health, understand the value of early intervention, and discover how prioritising self-care can make a lasting difference—both personally and professionally. This training is focused on looking at ways of protecting and maintaining your own mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.  

NB. If you are interested in learning more about how to support your colleagues in the workplace, or how to respond to students in distress, please see our other training offerings (https://staff.admin.ox.ac.uk/mental-health-awareness-training). 

Speaker: This training is delivered by qualified clinicians from the staff wellbeing programme and the student welfare and support services. 

Book here

Location: Online

Description: Working in a university setting brings its own distinct challenges including the need to balance a wide range of responsibilities, navigate high workloads, and manage emotionally demanding roles. Over time, these pressures can contribute to chronic stress and burnout, affecting both personal wellbeing and professional performance. In this interactive workshop we will look at the impact of chronic stress and the nature of burnout within the workplace and explore practical, evidence-based strategies for prevention and recovery. Participants will learn to recognise early warning signs of burnout, understand its underlying causes, and apply pragmatic tools to manage stress more effectively. Key topics will include the importance of self-care, emotional regulation, boundary setting and fostering a healthy work-life balance. By the end of the session, attendees will have an understanding of effective strategies to manage stress, protect wellbeing, enhance resilience, and maintain effectiveness in a demanding academic environment. 

Speaker: Dr Ruth Collins is a Chartered Psychologist with experience of working in a wide range of clinical settings, including the NHS. She holds both a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsych) and a PhD in Experimental Psychology from University College London (UCL). Ruth is the Staff Mental Health Training Lead for Oxford University responsible for the design and delivery of mental health awareness training for staff across the institution. Ruth is an experienced workshop facilitator and course leader, with a strong track record of delivering training on mental health and wellbeing in both corporate and educational settings. Alongside maintaining a private therapy practice, Ruth works as a senior counsellor and clinical supervisor for the University Counselling Service and contributes to academic teaching as a lecturer on the Master’s programme in Psychodynamic Practice at Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education. 

Book here

Location: online

Description: Brought to you by the Digital Capabilities Team, this free online session aims to help you develop healthier digital habits and thrive in the hybrid workplace. 

Hybrid working gives us more flexibility than ever before – but it can also impact our wellbeing. Long hours online, blurred work–life boundaries and the pace of digital productivity all take their toll.

Discover five key elements that support digital wellbeing and productivity, and learn practical ways to protect your physical, social and mental wellbeing in a hybrid environment.

Speaker: Dr Maren Deepwell is a professional coach working in education and the not-for-profit sector, and an expert in hybrid working. She is the author of the book Leading Virtual Teams.

Book here

 

Location: Online

Description: Delivered by an experienced speaker from the Wellbeing Project, a wellbeing consultancy of business psychologists and wellbeing specialists, ‘Money Management’ builds the practical knowledge to take control of your finances. The team explore how to conduct a comprehensive budget review, optimise your spending and make the most of your hard-earned money. You will leave equipped with the tools to achieve long-term financial security. Topics covered:

  • Building a solid plan
  • Budgeting – making the most of your money
  • Successful Saving habits
  • Understanding credit
  • Fraud and Scams

Speaker: John Piercy is passionate about helping more people become financially resilient, sharing his knowledge to support others with managing money and their long-term wellbeing, particularly in these testing times.  He believes that everyone, regardless of age, wealth, and background, should have access to sound financial guidance and support. John very much thrives in his role delivering financial wellbeing workshops in the workplace, providing support to employees, and enhancing wellbeing programmes globally. 

Book here

Location: The Studio, University Club, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ

Description: This 90-minute interactive training session provides a foundational introduction to mental health awareness within the workplace. Participants will be introduced to evidence-based strategies for promoting psychological wellbeing, learn to recognise signs of poor mental health, understand the value of early intervention, and discover how prioritising self-care can make a lasting difference—both personally and professionally. This training is focused on looking at ways of protecting and maintaining your own mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.  

NB. If you are interested in learning more about how to support your colleagues in the workplace, or how to respond to students in distress, please see our other training offerings (https://staff.admin.ox.ac.uk/mental-health-awareness-training). 

Speaker: This training is delivered by qualified clinicians from the staff wellbeing programme and the student welfare and support services. 

Book here

Location: Meeting Room, CAMS-Oxford Institute (COI), Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN 

Description: Divided into two modules, delivered over a full day, this training aims to give a general overview of neurodiversity and neurodivergent conditions and equip line managers with the tools they need to manage and support neurodivergent individuals.  
Module 1 will cover: 

  • What is Neurodiversity? 
  • What are Neurodivergent Conditions? 
  • Sensory Environments, Executive Functioning, Stimming and Masking 

 
 Module 2 will cover:  

  • Disclosure and Starting Conversations 
  • Performance and Absence Management 
  • Reasonable Adjustments 
  • Signposting 

Please note, lunch will not be provided. 
Speaker: Creased Puddle are a UK-based neurodiversity consultancy who specialise in neurodiversity training, coaching consultancy and speaking.  

Book here
 

Location: Kennedy Institute Lecture Theatre, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FY 

Description: Divided into two modules, delivered over a full day, this training aims to give a general overview of neurodiversity and neurodivergent conditions and equip line managers with the tools they need to manage and support neurodivergent individuals.   

Module 1 will cover:  

  • What is Neurodiversity?  
  • What are Neurodivergent Conditions?  
  • Sensory Environments, Executive Functioning, Stimming and Masking   

 Module 2 will cover:   

  • Disclosure and Starting Conversations  
  • Performance and Absence Management  
  • Reasonable Adjustments  
  • Signposting  

 Please note, lunch will not be provided. 

Speaker: Creased Puddle are a UK-based neurodiversity consultancy who specialise in neurodiversity training, coaching consultancy and speaking.   

Book here 

Location: The Studio, University Club, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ 

Description: Easily distracted on your smartphone or laptop? Too many tabs open in your brain?   

Many of us struggle to have a happy, healthy relationship with our digital devices. For example, constant notifications might be interrupting our workflow, or needing to use a phone for 2-factor authentication might distract us when we log on to university services.  

The 2-hour ReDD Workshop introduces actionable steps to take control of your digital life. In the workshop, you will:   

  1. reflect on your relationship with digital devices & identify problem areas  
  2. explore a curated set of “digital focus tools” for managing distraction  
  3. get in-workshop support to implement chosen tools on your own devices.  

ReDD is based on rigorous, award-winning research (redd-project.org/research), and won a 2024 MPLS Impact Award at the University of Oxford. 

Remember to bring you laptop and smartphone to the session! 

Speaker: Dr Ulrik Lyngs is a cognitive psychologist-turned-computer scientist. His research explores the potential for using insights from the behavioural neurosciences to design digital technology that is sensitive to human limitations and biases, particularly in relation to attention and self-regulation. Aside from his DPhil research, Ulrik is passionate about open science and reforming the incentive structure in academia to reward replication studies, transparent reporting of methods and results, and sharing of materials.  

Book here

Location: online

Description: Brought to you by the Digital Capabilities Team, this free online session aims to help you develop healthier digital habits and thrive in the hybrid workplace. 

Hybrid working gives us more flexibility than ever before – but it can also impact our wellbeing. Long hours online, blurred work–life boundaries and the pace of digital productivity all take their toll.

Discover five key elements that support digital wellbeing and productivity, and learn practical ways to protect your physical, social and mental wellbeing in a hybrid environment.

Speaker: Dr Maren Deepwell is a professional coach working in education and the not-for-profit sector, and an expert in hybrid working. She is the author of the book Leading Virtual Teams.

Book here

Location: Room 598.30.28, Gibson Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG 

Description: This talk will focus on the benefits of moving, some of which are surprising, and on how it might be easier (and more fun) than you think to make beneficial changes. The talk will involve a bit of gentle interaction but there won't be any pressure to join in and the speaker promises not to pick on anyone specifically! 

Speaker: After ten years working as a clinical psychologist in the NHS, Dr Rowan Diamond joined the University of Oxford to work on translational clinical research. Her work in the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis (O-CAP) group primarily focusses on developing new interventions for patients with psychosis. Her specific research area of interest is designing new interventions to help people to be more physically active and spend less time sitting down. Rowan has delivered teaching and training about wellbeing and physical activity at many events in the past, including during her time as a consultant clinical psychologist at the internationally-renowned training centre for CBT, the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. 

Book here

Location: Room 598.30.28, Gibson Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG 

Description: Many of us value high standards in our academic, extra-curricular and personal activities. For some, however, the relentless pursuit of excessively high standards can become self-defeating. In those instances, the pursuit of perfection rather than excellence can contribute to high levels of anxiety, stress and low mood. This presentation will offer an opportunity to think about how perfectionism develops, the costs and benefits, and some of the consequences, particularly procrastination. We will look at some strategies to support alternative, more effective approaches.   

Speaker: Sara Hitchens is a Senior Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Currently, she has a private practice in Oxford, and worked until recently as a Counsellor at the Oxford University Counselling Service. Sara has lived and worked in Spain, France, Pakistan and Japan where she was in private practice, as well as working as a school counsellor at two international schools.  She has several specialisms, including: intercultural issues e.g. intercultural marriage, migration, expatriation, working in different environments/workplaces; EMDR therapy for trauma; managing bereavement. Previously she worked in primary care for the NHS and for Lewisham Bereavement Counselling, as well as with young people in London schools. To learn more about Sara, click here: www.sarahitchenscounselling.com

Book here

Location: Kennedy Institute Lecture Theatre, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FY 

Description: This 90-minute interactive training session provides a foundational introduction to mental health awareness within the workplace. Participants will be introduced to evidence-based strategies for promoting psychological wellbeing, learn to recognise signs of poor mental health, understand the value of early intervention, and discover how prioritising self-care can make a lasting difference—both personally and professionally. This training is focused on looking at ways of protecting and maintaining your own mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.  

NB. If you are interested in learning more about how to support your colleagues in the workplace, or how to respond to students in distress, please see our other training offerings (https://staff.admin.ox.ac.uk/mental-health-awareness-training). 

Speaker: This training is delivered by qualified clinicians from the staff wellbeing programme and the student welfare and support services. 

Book here

Location: online

Description: Brought to you by the Digital Capabilities Team, this free online session aims to help you develop healthier digital habits and thrive in the hybrid workplace. 

Hybrid working gives us more flexibility than ever before – but it can also impact our wellbeing. Long hours online, blurred work–life boundaries and the pace of digital productivity all take their toll.

Over two interactive sessions, you’ll reflect on your current hybrid working practices, audit what’s working well, and explore what you’d like to change. With practical tools and activities, you’ll identify the next steps to support your digital, physical and mental wellbeing.

Speaker: Dr Maren Deepwell is a professional coach working in education and the not-for-profit sector, and an expert in hybrid working. She is the author of the book Leading Virtual Teams.

Book here

Location: Online

Description: Easily distracted on your smartphone or laptop? Too many tabs open in your brain?   

Many of us struggle to have a happy, healthy relationship with our digital devices. For example, constant notifications might be interrupting our workflow, or needing to use a phone for 2-factor authentication might distract us when we log on to university services.  

The 2-hour ReDD Workshop introduces actionable steps to take control of your digital life. In the workshop, you will:   

  1. reflect on your relationship with digital devices & identify problem areas  
  2. explore a curated set of “digital focus tools” for managing distraction  
  3. get in-workshop support to implement chosen tools on your own devices.  

ReDD is based on rigorous, award-winning research (redd-project.org/research), and won a 2024 MPLS Impact Award at the University of Oxford. 

Remember to bring you laptop and smartphone to the session! 

Speaker: Dr Ulrik Lyngs is a cognitive psychologist-turned-computer scientist. His research explores the potential for using insights from the behavioural neurosciences to design digital technology that is sensitive to human limitations and biases, particularly in relation to attention and self-regulation. Aside from his DPhil research, Ulrik is passionate about open science and reforming the incentive structure in academia to reward replication studies, transparent reporting of methods and results, and sharing of materials. 

Book here

Location: The Studio, University Club, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ 

Description: University staff—working in administration, student services, and support roles—often deal with ongoing responsibilities, shifting demands, and limited time. This practical workshop introduces psychological flexibility: the ability to stay present, adapt to challenges, and act in line with your values, even under pressure. Backed by strong scientific evidence, psychological flexibility is a key skill linked to improved wellbeing, reduced stress, and greater resilience. Participants will learn simple, evidence-based strategies—such as how to pause and refocus during a busy day instead of getting stuck in unhelpful thoughts—that can be easily applied in daily work and life. 

Speaker: Vasilis S. Vasiliou, PhD, is a Chartered Clinical and Health Psychologist and Researcher at the University of Oxford (NDORMS), and Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. He specialises in behavioural medicine and the development of psychological interventions for people with chronic conditions, using digital and personalised approaches. He is involved in several wellbeing-related research projects, including for chronic pain and skin conditions. Dr. Vasiliou also contributes to teaching on the Oxford and Royal Holloway D.Clin.Psy programmes and serves on editorial boards and expert panels related to health psychology and psychological science. 

Book now

Location: Sherrington Library, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT 

Description: Divided into two modules, delivered over a full day, this training aims to give a general overview of neurodiversity and neurodivergent conditions and equip line managers with the tools they need to manage and support neurodivergent individuals.   

Module 1 will cover:  

  • What is Neurodiversity?  
  • What are Neurodivergent Conditions?  
  • Sensory Environments, Executive Functioning, Stimming and Masking  

 Module 2 will cover:   

  • Disclosure and Starting Conversations  
  • Performance and Absence Management  
  • Reasonable Adjustments  
  • Signposting  

 Please note, lunch will not be provided. 

Speaker: Creased Puddle are a UK-based neurodiversity consultancy who specialise in neurodiversity training, coaching consultancy and speaking.   

Book here 

Location:  Lecture Room 3, Thom Building, Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ 

Description: Divided into two modules, delivered over a full day, this training aims to give a general overview of neurodiversity and neurodivergent conditions and equip line managers with the tools they need to manage and support neurodivergent individuals.   

Module 1 will cover:  

  • What is Neurodiversity?  
  • What are Neurodivergent Conditions?  
  • Sensory Environments, Executive Functioning, Stimming and Masking  

 Module 2 will cover:   

  • Disclosure and Starting Conversations  
  • Performance and Absence Management  
  • Reasonable Adjustments  
  • Signposting  

 Please note, lunch will not be provided. 

Speaker: Creased Puddle are a UK-based neurodiversity consultancy who specialise in neurodiversity training, coaching consultancy and speaking.   

Book here 

Location: Online

Description: Join us for an interactive and reflective workshop where we’ll explore how to shape a team culture where everyone can thrive. Together, we’ll: 

  • Understand how teams differ from other groups 
  • Consider what defines and shapes team culture 
  • Reflect on what makes your team culture unique 
  • Identify practical ways to co-create a positive team culture. 

Speakers: Kate Bunce and Marc Adams are Organisational Development Consultants in the People & Organisational Development (POD) team. 

  Marc joined POD in April 2024 having worked in related roles at Birmingham and Reading universities. Prior to working in Higher Education, Marc’s career spanned business psychology, legal services, and local government. In POD, Marc supports the development of professional communities to encourage greater collaboration and knowledge sharing across the University. 

  Kate has over 10 years’ experience in HR, Equality Diversity & Inclusion, and Talent Management in Higher Education and the charity sector. Kate now leads the Professional Services Leadership Programme and Oxford’s Coaching Network, with focus on leadership development, wellbeing, team development and culture. 

Book here

Location: Seminar Room 1 (20-026), Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Department of Biochemistry, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU 

Description: Divided into two modules, and delivered over a full day, this training aims to give a general overview of neurodiversity and neurodivergent conditions and equip HR professionals with the tools they need to recruit, retain and manage neurodivergent individuals.  
Module 1 will cover: 

  • What is Neurodiversity? 
  • What are Neurodivergent Conditions? 
  • Sensory Environments, Executive Functioning, Stimming and Masking 

Module 2 will cover: 

  • Performance and Absence Management 
  • Recruitment, Assessment and Interviews 
  • Reasonable Adjustments  

 Please note, lunch will not be provided. 

Speaker: Creased Puddle are a UK-based neurodiversity consultancy who specialise in neurodiversity training, coaching consultancy and speaking.

Book here

Additional Information

These talks will be held in lecture theatre format (where room layout allows). 

Staff are encouraged to look at the access guides for each of the venues for more information: Home | Access Guide

If you are unable to attend your session, please pass your ticket on to a colleague so no places are wasted!

Contact

For event enquiries, please contact wellbeing@admin.ox.ac.uk.

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