Guidelines
For researchers working in emotionally demanding research
To read more about our project on researcher mental health, visit our projects page here.
What are the guidelines?
Research can be emotionally demanding, particularly when addressing certain topics or working within challenging environments. The mental health and well-being of researchers are often overlooked, despite their crucial role in producing high-quality, impactful research.
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These guidelines have been co-designed based on extensive research into best practices for supporting researchers engaged in emotionally demanding research across academic and non-academic contexts. They aim to foster a culture of care, inclusivity, and psychological awareness that prioritizes researchers' well-being at every level of the research ecosystem.
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Who are they for?
The guidelines have been co-designed for academic and non-academic research contexts and includes: organizations and academic institutions; funders/research councils; conferences; line managers/principle investigators/supervisors; and also the individual researcher.
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​See our latest free open-access publication for further information on the co-design process: Full article: Best practices for supporting researchers’ mental health in emotionally demanding research across academic and non-academic contexts
Take part in our survey!
We are currently aiming to understand the utility of these guidelines in real world research contexts and would value your participation.
If you would like to take part in our survey, please follow the link or scan the QR code
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Survey Information
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What is the purpose of our work?
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We would like to invite you to take part in this project, in collaboration with Mind, to create guidelines for safeguarding researchers’ mental health when researching mental health and sensitive topics more broadly. Researching sensitive topics can be tough, creating lasting emotional challenges for researchers. We consider researchers to be those in academia, but also those working in the third sector and/or as peer researchers through lived experience. Specifically, we want to understand your views about how researchers’ mental health can be safeguarded throughout the research process.
Why have I been invited and do I have to take part?
We are inviting you to participate because of your experience involved with research on mental health or sensitive topics more broadly. After reading this information sheet, you can ask any questions about our work. If you agree to take part, we would like you to complete the consent form. It is not compulsory to take part.
What will I have to do?
If you agree to volunteer for our research, you will be asked to complete a brief online survey on the utility, appropriateness, and feasibility of guidelines designed to best safeguard researchers’ mental health. This should take no longer than 30 minutes. You will be compensated for your time with a £20 e-voucher. You will have the option to be entered into a prize draw on completion. Winning amounts will be 1x £200, 2 x £100, 3 x £60 and 6 x £20 Amazon vouchers.
How will my confidentiality be protected?
All the data collected through these methods are confidential, as required by General Data Protection Regulation Act (2018). That means that only people on the research team will have access to the data. Raw and processed data will be kept for ten years following completion of the evaluation. Electronic data will be kept securely on the Universities’ password protected cloud system and will only be accessed by the study investigators. After this period, all data collected will be destroyed. Any published research will contain changed names.
Can I withdraw once we have started?
You may withdraw at any time before the deadline, without any explanation or consequence. If you choose to withdraw, please contact Dr Mary Quinton (contact details provided below). The deadline for withdrawing is once the data starts to be analysed (May 2025). If you choose to withdraw, data already collected up until the withdrawal point will be used in the research unless the participant states explicitly for this to be destroyed. In which case, data will be destroyed. If you withdraw prior to participating, you will not be entered into the prize draw.
What will happen to the results of the research?
The results of this investigation aim to help safeguard researchers’ mental health when researching sensitive topics. Also, by participating in this research, you are agreeing that your contributions may be used for scientific purposes, including publication in scientific journals, so long as your anonymity is maintained. A brief summary presenting the results and findings will be given to participants at the end of the study. There are no known risks associated with participation in this research. If any distress is felt from participating in the study, there are a number of support resources available.
For immediate support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or call NHS mental health services on 111.
For non-emergencies, visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ for resources and a supportive online community. There are also a number of NHS recommended apps for managing wellbeing, such as Headspace.
Further information and contact details
Dr Mary Quinton (m.quinton@bham.ac.uk)
Dr Georgia Bird (g.a.bird@bham.ac.uk)
View or download the guidelines
The guidelines for protecting the mental health of researchers in emotionally demanding research are published! Click on the image or follow the link to see and download our free guidelines.
We have also provided best practice advice for conference organizers and delegates! Click here to download our free advice document.
