A series of workshops from HEARTS Project
- CIS-Iscte
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The HEARTS Project (Higher Education Action Response for Trauma Support, 2023-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000158841) facilitated a series of three pilot workshops between February and April 2025, designed to promote mental health and well-being within Iscte's higher education community. Targeting master's students, PhD candidates, and a mixed group of both, these three workshops series aimed to foster healthier academic environments through the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Workshop 1: Promoting Social Justice in Higher Education: A Workshop on Intercultural Competences
The first workshop was, titled "Social Justice Competences," specifically designed for Master's students in the Psychology of Intercultural Relations program. This pilot aimed to provide participants with essential skills to navigate intercultural dynamics, challenge inequalities, and foster inclusive environments, such as those they encounter within higher education.
Facilitated by Sandra Roberto, Gustavo Aybar, and Carla Moleiro, the sessions combined theoretical frameworks, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies to explore themes such as:
Intercultural awareness.
Migration, identity, and power dynamics
LGBTQ+ inclusion and intersectionality
Strategies for promoting mental health and social justice
Through discussions, multimedia presentations, and group activities, participants reflected on their own biases, engaged with diverse perspectives, and developed practical skills for creating more equitable spaces in academia and beyond. The workshop underscored the importance of empathy, active listening, and systemic change in building a more inclusive society.
Workshop 2: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Research Practices: Promoting Well-Being From Research Participation to Research Teams”
This second workshop series engaged academic staff in critically examining how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles can transform research practices. Through interactive sessions, participants explored practical frameworks for embedding DEI considerations across all research phases, from initial study design through implementation. The workshops particularly focused on developing methodologies that not only strengthen research rigor but also actively promote wellbeing for both research participants and team members.
Facilitated by Carla Moleiro and Gustavo Aybar, the workshops created an engaging space for reflection and skill-building. Participants explored the complexities of assessing diversity across various dimensions and examined how systemic power dynamics influence research practices. Through interactive methodologies, attendees developed strategies to address these challenges in their work.
A key focus was on translating awareness into action. The sessions equipped researchers with tools to create more inclusive studies, from designing culturally sensitive questionnaires to implementing equitable recruitment processes. Participants also examined how to cultivate inclusive environments within research teams, recognizing that diverse perspectives strengthen both the process and outcomes of academic work.
The workshop emphasized that inclusive research is not merely an ethical obligation but a fundamental component of rigorous scholarship. By centering DEI principles, researchers can produce work that truly reflects and serves diverse communities while creating more equitable academic spaces.
Pilot 3: PhD Wellness: Fostering Mental Health & Well-Being in Higher Education using PhotoVoice
The final pilot workshop, facilitated by Gustavo Aybar and Carla Moleiro, focused on addressing the unique wellbeing challenges faced by PhD candidates. This intensive two-day session provided doctoral researchers with both a reflective space to examine academic pressures and practical tools to enhance their mental health throughout the research journey.
The workshop introduced participants to PhotoVoice, a powerful qualitative method combining photography and storytelling to document lived experiences and advocate for change. Through this approach, attendees examined both the pressures and possibilities of doctoral studies, with a particular focus on the Iscte academic environment.
Key discussions addressed systemic issues affecting PhD mental health, including bureaucratic hurdles, lack of structured support for new students, and limited awareness of available resources. Participants also identified positive influences and potential solutions, using photography to capture these contrasting perspectives symbolically.
On the second day, the workshop shifted toward action. Participants curated their photos into thematic exhibitions, crafting narratives that highlighted needs such as better work-life balance, stronger mentorship systems, and improved access to mental health services. These visual stories served as both personal reflections and calls for institutional change.
The photos taken by students and staff at ISCTE will be showcased at the conference 'Be-Well-ISCTE: Um Olhar Sobre a Saúde e Bem-Estar' on May 19th, as part of European Mental Health Week celebrations.
Closing Remarks
These workshops represent just the beginning of the HEARTS Project’s commitment to fostering mentally healthy, equitable academic spaces. We extend our deepest gratitude to all participants whose openness and engagement made these dialogues so impactful. To learn more about our initiatives or join future programs, visit the HEARTS Project website.
Text by Gustavo Aybar/HEARTS team at Iscte
