“It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.”

Bréne Brown

Overview

As part of Queen’s National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) celebrations, we invite you to take time to celebrate yourself and your achievements.

This session offers a rare opportunity to pause, reset, and connect with other postdocs before the new academic year begins.  It’s a chance to step away from day-to-day pressures and reflect on your own wellbeing and progress.

Facilitated by Erin McElvogue from MYND Consulting, the session offers a unique and personal approach to wellbeing, exploring subtle mindset shifts that can boost your confidence, motivation, and resilience in the year ahead.

lt will give you space to:

• Reflect on your progress and impact over the past year
• Understand how internal confidence (assurance) differs from external validation (reassurance) and how that affects your wellbeing
• Identify small, practical mindset shifts that support focus, motivation, and resilience
• Build connection with like-minded postdocs in a relaxed, supportive setting

Come along to this no-pressure event and take time to recognise your contribution and the value of the postdoc community around you. You'll leave feeling calmer and more connected to yourself and others.

Pastries and coffee will be served on arrival, with space to chat, unwind, and connect informally with other postdocs across the university.

All research staff are welcome, but registration is required.  We look forward to seeing you there. 

What is National Postdoc Appreciation Week?

National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) is an annual celebration recognising the vital contributions that postdoctoral researchers make to research, teaching, innovation and wider society. It’s a time to say thank you and to shine a light on the value postdocs bring to universities and beyond.

At Queen’s, we mark NPAW each September with events, initiatives and opportunities to connect; celebrating postdocs as an essential part of our research community.

About the Facilitator | Erin McElvogue

Erin McElvogue is a trained teacher, practicing coach, and founder of MYND Consulting. With extensive experience in corporate and organisational wellbeing, she helps individuals and teams understand the connection between mindset, behaviour, and performance.

Erin’s approach encourages participants to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their values and goals. Her work spans mental health awareness, stress management, mindfulness, and sustainable performance. Known for her engaging and thoughtful facilitation style, she creates safe and energising spaces for personal and professional reflection.