Wellbeing Reset Lab: Researcher Life Recharged
Dates: 28-29 May 2026
Location: Université Toulouse Capitole, Toulouse, France (in-person workshop)
Application deadline: 5 February, 2026
Format: In-person, daytime workshop at Université Toulouse Capitole
Background
The Wellbeing Reset Lab: Researcher Life Recharged, is a 2-day immersive workshop for PhD candidates and postdocs across ENGAGE.EU universities that will create space for reflection, skill-building, and community support for prioritizing researchers’ wellbeing.
This initiative is supported by the ENGAGE.EU Alliance, which brings together 10 European universities. Selected within the Research Label seed funding call #02 ,it is led by researchers from Toulouse Capitole University, Hanken School of Economics and Tilburg University, and reflects a commitment to human-centred approaches to academia.
Objectives
The Wellbeing Reset Lab aims to:
- Equip PhD candidates and postdocs with practical, evidence-based strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and sustain wellbeing throughout their academic careers;
- Foster self-awareness and intentional self-leadership, enabling researchers to align their work with their values and strengths;
- Create a supportive community of peers navigating similar challenges, breaking the isolation often experienced in academic life;
- Explore the intersection of personal wellbeing and research excellence, demonstrating that care for oneself enhances capacity to contribute meaningfully to society;
- Offer hands-on practices grounded in behavioural science, positive psychology, and mindfulness that participants can integrate into their daily lives;
- Build a network of researchers committed to fostering healthier, more sustainable academic cultures within the ENGAGE.EU alliance and beyond.
Who can participate?
- Up to 18 PhD candidates and postdocs from ENGAGE.EU partner universities.
- Open to all disciplines—no prior experience with wellbeing practices required.
Workshop Facilitators
- Maysam Nour Eddin, Fourth year PhD Candidate in Human Resource and Organisational Behavoir Mangagement at the Toulouse School of Management (Université Toulouse Capitole) | LinkedIn
- Daniela Pyhäjärvi, PhD in Economic and Business Adminisrtation, Hanken School of Economics | LinkedIn
- Cian Lin, PhD Research Scholar at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), FAIR Research Center (Freedom to Choose project) | LinkedIn
- Togan Kiliç, Fourth year PhD Candidate in Organizational Behavior at KEDGE Business School | LinkedIn
Application
The application deadline for this workshop is February 5, 2026.
Application materials (to be submitted in English using the form at the bottom of this page):
- A short motivation letter (300 words max) sharing why you’d like to join and how you expect the Wellbeing Reset Lab to benefit your academic and personal life.
- Academic background information which briefly describes your research topic or focus area (150 words max). We collect this information to better understand our participants and tailor the workshop content accordingly, in order to maintain diversity and inclusivity in the selection process.
- A short CV/Resume (2 pages max)
- Completion of the online application form below (including personal information, commitment declarations, photo consent, and funding needs).
Applicants will be notified of admission status by early March 2026 at the latest. Admitted participants will receive detailed information about venue logistics, accommodation options, travel arrangements, and pre-workshop preparatory materials.
Participant Selection
Spots are limited to 18 participants. The selection will be based the following criteria:
- Genuine motivation: Applications will be assessed primarily on the basis of indicated motivation and clear articulation of how the program aligns with your needs and goals.
- Commitment: We prioritize applicants who can commit to attending the full 2-day program.
- Diversity and inclusion: We welcome applications from all backgrounds, disciplines, and geographic locations.
- Priority for funded seats: The four fully funded seats (covering travel and accommodation up to 800 euros) are reserved for applicants from ENGAGE.EU universities outside Toulouse.
The facilitation team will handle the selection of applicants. However, to prevent any conflicts of interest, facilitators will not evaluate applicants from their own home university.
Funding
What’s Included:
All participants receive meals (lunchs, coffee breaks on both days, and a shared community dinner on Day 1).
Travel and Accommodation:
- Applicants are expected to cover their own accommodation and travel expenses. However, four fully funded places are available, each covering travel and accommodation costs up to a maximum of 800 euros.
- Applicants not based in Toulouse may choose to be considered for funding during the application process.
- Selection will be based on the applicant’s motivation. To ensure fairness and credibility, facilitators will assess applications only from universities other than their own.
Additional Funding Opportunities:
Funding options for participants’ travel and accommodation may be available through your institution, either within the context of the ENGAGE.EU Alliance or through other opportunities (e.g., departmental grants).
For more information, please contact your institution’s local ENGAGE.EU contact point (see list below) or your department’s mobility office.
Contacts
For General Questions about the Wellbeing Reset Lab:
Maysam Nour Eddin
Université Toulouse Capitole
maysam.nour-eddin@tsm-education.fr
ENGAGE.EU Local Contact Points
Applicants from the ENGAGE.EU alliance can contact their local university’s ENGAGE.EU team member for questions specifically related to their institution and this call:
University | Contact | |
Hanken | Dr. Sirpa Aalto | sirpa.aalto@hanken.fi |
Luiss | Aurora Alegiani | aalegiani@luiss.it |
NHH | Dr. Heather Arghandeh Paudler | heather.argandeh.paudler@nhh.no |
Tilburg | Rianne Strijker | r.strijker@tilburguniversity.edu |
UMA | Sati Cakar | sati.cakar@uni-mannheim.de |
UNWE | Assoc. Prof. Hristina Harizanova-Bartos | hharizanova@unwe.bg |
URL | Ana Caellas Camprubi | acaellas@rectorat.url.edu |
UT Capitole | Myriam Greusard | myriam.greusard@ut-capitole.fr |
WU | Rina Gjana | rina.gjana@wu.ac.at |