Academic research
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I research whole-institution approaches to mental health in academia and work with teams to activate, deliver, and measure the impact of mental wellbeing and mental health literacy initiatives that benefit students, faculty, and staff.
PUBLICATIONS
Assessing the mental health state of LHC scientists
(full article link, CERN pubblication, 2025)
Abstract: A series of mental health awareness trainings have been initiated by the Early Career Scientists Fora (ECSF) to support and inform the LHC community. Building on a series of workshops, held online and in person at CERN between 2021 and 2023, a survey was shared with all four major experiments to assess the mental health perceptions and needs of participants. In this note the main survey findings are presented, with specific attention to the role work culture, career uncertainty, and support networks play in this scientific community. We hope this work raises awareness around the experience of mental health in a large international scientific collaboration and offer evidence that can foster deeper understanding and broaden the scope for impactful interventions
Holistic Faculty Development for University Mental Wellbeing: a Narrative Review
(full article link, page 953, ISBN 979-12-80225-85-6, 2025)
Abstract: University mental wellbeing has gained increasing relevance in both scientific and socio-political agendas. Recent research shows an increase in students' need for psychological support, and the crucial role faculty plays in promoting such wellbeing. As faculty is often faced with psychology related challenges without having received adequate preparation, many universities have adopted faculty development models aimed at providing staff with evidence-based knowledge to inform their support interventions. A narrative review highlighted the effectiveness of projects such as ABC-Uni model at the University of Copenhagen; Professor Hippo-on-campus educational programme at McMaster University and RAKSHAKA framework by King's College London and Manipal University. These initiatives share a holistic view of university mental wellbeing and the crucial role of the synergy between faculty development, support services and active collaboration with students. This review is part of a wider case-study that, based on a whole university approach, seeks to implement mental wellbeing training for faculty, students and staff in an Italian public online university.
Building Thriving Academic Communities: Implementing Coaching and Mental Wellbeing Tools for Students, Educators and Staff
(full article link, ISBN: 979-12-80225-60-3, 2024)
Abstract: Following the Covid-19 pandemic mental health has taken center stage in socio-political agendas (WHO, 2022), research in the field has increased significantly and its impact in higher education has become evident (Allen et al., 2023, Chen & Lucock, 2022). This has probed building mental wellbeing amongst academic students and faculty members, enhance support services and implement digital tools that can monitor and enhance mental wellbeing (Gast et al. 2022; Hammoudi et al. 2023; Morgan & Simmons, 2021). University educators and staff are faced with increasing students’ mental health challenges (Holzer et al, 2021), often without a formal preparation to successfully manage complex situations. Literature highlights how the acquisition of coaching techniques can have a positive effect
on the mental wellbeing (Hammoudi et al, 2022; Wolff et al., 2020), and some universities are starting to implement coaching skills in their curriculum to foster wellbeing and resilience (Lane & De Wilde, 2018). My PhD research explores how the use of virtual learning spaces for students, educators and staff to access synchronous and asynchronous coaching and mental wellbeing tools can play a key role in creating thriving academic communities.
Whole university approach - un caso studio italiano: percorsi formativi online per il benessere mentale di tutta l’università
(full article link, page 508, ISBN volume 979‐12‐5568‐107‐6, 2024)
Abstract: Con la pandemia da Covid-19, il bisogno di supporto psicologico all’interno delle comunità universitarie è aumentato. La letteratura disponibile su interventi formativi online per aumentare e sostenere il benessere mentale riporta interventi di successo principalmente a sostegno degli studenti; minori quelli diretti ai docenti e al personale. Il metodo whole university approach prevede interventi in cui l’intera comunità universitaria viene supportata, partendo dal presupposto che è importante imparare a prendersi cura insieme della propria salute mentale. In quest’ottica l’università è luogo di formazione e benessere sociale, fucina di innovazione e apprendimento
condiviso che sostiene la crescita ed il potenziale di ciascuno. La ricerca mira a dare un contributo pedagogico di formazione di strategie legate al coaching e alla psicologia applicando in contesti universitari italiani il whole university approach, con un case study su un’università telematica italiana 100% pubblica.
Assessing the mental health state of LHC scientists
(full article link, CERN pubblication, 2025)
Abstract: A series of mental health awareness trainings have been initiated by the Early Career Scientists Fora (ECSF) to support and inform the LHC community. Building on a series of workshops, held online and in person at CERN between 2021 and 2023, a survey was shared with all four major experiments to assess the mental health perceptions and needs of participants. In this note the main survey findings are presented, with specific attention to the role work culture, career uncertainty, and support networks play in this scientific community. We hope this work raises awareness around the experience of mental health in a large international scientific collaboration and offer evidence that can foster deeper understanding and broaden the scope for impactful interventions
Holistic Faculty Development for University Mental Wellbeing: a Narrative Review
(full article link, page 953, ISBN 979-12-80225-85-6, 2025)
Abstract: University mental wellbeing has gained increasing relevance in both scientific and socio-political agendas. Recent research shows an increase in students' need for psychological support, and the crucial role faculty plays in promoting such wellbeing. As faculty is often faced with psychology related challenges without having received adequate preparation, many universities have adopted faculty development models aimed at providing staff with evidence-based knowledge to inform their support interventions. A narrative review highlighted the effectiveness of projects such as ABC-Uni model at the University of Copenhagen; Professor Hippo-on-campus educational programme at McMaster University and RAKSHAKA framework by King's College London and Manipal University. These initiatives share a holistic view of university mental wellbeing and the crucial role of the synergy between faculty development, support services and active collaboration with students. This review is part of a wider case-study that, based on a whole university approach, seeks to implement mental wellbeing training for faculty, students and staff in an Italian public online university.
Building Thriving Academic Communities: Implementing Coaching and Mental Wellbeing Tools for Students, Educators and Staff
(full article link, ISBN: 979-12-80225-60-3, 2024)
Abstract: Following the Covid-19 pandemic mental health has taken center stage in socio-political agendas (WHO, 2022), research in the field has increased significantly and its impact in higher education has become evident (Allen et al., 2023, Chen & Lucock, 2022). This has probed building mental wellbeing amongst academic students and faculty members, enhance support services and implement digital tools that can monitor and enhance mental wellbeing (Gast et al. 2022; Hammoudi et al. 2023; Morgan & Simmons, 2021). University educators and staff are faced with increasing students’ mental health challenges (Holzer et al, 2021), often without a formal preparation to successfully manage complex situations. Literature highlights how the acquisition of coaching techniques can have a positive effect
on the mental wellbeing (Hammoudi et al, 2022; Wolff et al., 2020), and some universities are starting to implement coaching skills in their curriculum to foster wellbeing and resilience (Lane & De Wilde, 2018). My PhD research explores how the use of virtual learning spaces for students, educators and staff to access synchronous and asynchronous coaching and mental wellbeing tools can play a key role in creating thriving academic communities.
Whole university approach - un caso studio italiano: percorsi formativi online per il benessere mentale di tutta l’università
(full article link, page 508, ISBN volume 979‐12‐5568‐107‐6, 2024)
Abstract: Con la pandemia da Covid-19, il bisogno di supporto psicologico all’interno delle comunità universitarie è aumentato. La letteratura disponibile su interventi formativi online per aumentare e sostenere il benessere mentale riporta interventi di successo principalmente a sostegno degli studenti; minori quelli diretti ai docenti e al personale. Il metodo whole university approach prevede interventi in cui l’intera comunità universitaria viene supportata, partendo dal presupposto che è importante imparare a prendersi cura insieme della propria salute mentale. In quest’ottica l’università è luogo di formazione e benessere sociale, fucina di innovazione e apprendimento
condiviso che sostiene la crescita ed il potenziale di ciascuno. La ricerca mira a dare un contributo pedagogico di formazione di strategie legate al coaching e alla psicologia applicando in contesti universitari italiani il whole university approach, con un case study su un’università telematica italiana 100% pubblica.
Insights into my practice
Videos
Interview on personal and social positive impact, 2021, link
Interview on combining arts therapy and life coaching when working with clients, 2018, link
Interview on personal and social positive impact, 2021, link
Interview on combining arts therapy and life coaching when working with clients, 2018, link
Blog posts
How can creativity and physical activity help you heal from grief, 2021, link
Why are Coaching and Psychotherapy useful?, 2019, link
Managing stress in the workplace: 5 top tips, 2019, link
The A, B, C to positive physical and mental health, 2019, link
Use of physical activity in the prevention of mental health problems, 2019, link
Creating Balance in A Dance of Opposites: An Integrated Approach to Life Coaching, 2018, link
How can creativity and physical activity help you heal from grief, 2021, link
Why are Coaching and Psychotherapy useful?, 2019, link
Managing stress in the workplace: 5 top tips, 2019, link
The A, B, C to positive physical and mental health, 2019, link
Use of physical activity in the prevention of mental health problems, 2019, link
Creating Balance in A Dance of Opposites: An Integrated Approach to Life Coaching, 2018, link
