Cultivating Confidence in Academia: Practical Tools for Navigating Imposter Syndrome
Overview:
Many academics are familiar with the feeling that their professional success is due to favorable circumstances and experience the accompanying fear of being “exposed” as an imposter. When this feeling plays a significant role in shaping everyday work life or even in career planning, it can be helpful to take a closer look at the topic.
In this workshop, we explore approaches and techniques that can help improve how we deal with this challenging phenomenon. A central focus of the workshop is on teaching and applying mindfulness techniques that allow for a healthy distance and a compassionate attitude toward one's own experience.
At the same time, imposter experiences will be placed in political and institutional contexts and discussed accordingly.
The current state of research will be presented and discussed for all topics covered.
In-Person Workshop
Date
May 8, 2026
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Trainer
Dr. Taiya Mikisch
Language
English
Location
Gender Equality Office Maximilianstraße 22, 53111 Bonn
Target Group
Women academics and research managers affiliated with the University of Bonn. If places remain, these will be opened to administrative and technical staff.
Certificate
You will receive a participation certificate. Workshops offered by the Gender Equality Office are generally transferable for the Certificates DoctoratePlus and CareersPlus.
Number of Participants
Maximum 18 People
Methods & Objectives
The following thematic modules will be addressed:
- Research findings on the topic of Imposter Syndrome (to better contextualize one's own experience)
- Discussion of data concerning how the phenomenon affects different groups, e.g., by gender, first-generation academics, and others
- Methods from systemic work that help make one's position within institutional and political contexts visible and open to reflection
- Insights from mindfulness and resilience research and exercises that expand one’s capacity to cope with challenging situations
- Exchange among participants, which contributes to putting one's negative self-perception into perspective
- Developing a constructive attitude toward mistakes and failure
- Exploring and formulating one’s own intentions/values/sense of purpose in relation to professional life
- Practical mindfulness-based and body-oriented exercises that can be used in everyday life to prepare for challenging situations or as acute interventions during or after stressful moments
FAQ
No, all costs are covered by the Gender Equality Office.
Yes. If an event is booked up, we will put you on the wait list. You will be moved up and notified if another person withdraws before the event begins.
Yes, the event location at the Gender Equality Office is accessible.
If you need to make use of childcare services during an event, please contact the University of Bonn Office of Family Services.
In order to be able to participate in events offered by the University of Bonn Gender Equality Office, you must be employed by, studying at, completing a doctorate or doing research at the University of Bonn, or be a member of an affiliated research organization.
If you need a certificate confirming your participation in one of our events, please contact our office via email at events(at)zgb.uni-bonn.de
If you wish to receive credits for your participation as part of the Doctorate plus program, please get in touch with the contact persons listed on their website to find out how many units each event covers.
If you wish to receive credits for your participation as part of the Careers plus program, please get in touch with the contact persons listed on their website to find out how many units each event covers.
