Pursuing a PhD and being in academia more generally is a journey marked by significant hardships and challenges.
Over the past three years, the IMISCOE PhD Network Board has engaged in ongoing discussions about the mental health struggles that often accompany academic life—stress, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of failure. These issues are deeply intertwined with a culture of hyper-performance and relentless productivity, coupled with the precarious working conditions in many universities. Yet, after years of talking about these challenges, we began asking ourselves a fundamental question: what is it that keeps us here?
While the journey through academia is filled with hurdles, it also offers unique, positive experiences that bring us meaning and even joy. There’s a reason we chose this path and why many of us stay, finding purpose and fulfilment along the way. Whether it’s the camaraderie of friendships with colleagues, the freedom to explore ideas, a sense of intellectual community, the inspiration of teaching, or simply the joy of reading and writing, academia can be a deeply rewarding experience. We believe that joy is a powerful force—and if shared, it has the potential to transform academia and our journeys within it. It is exactly on this topic of happiness or joy in academia that we want to reflect during this years’ events, and especially during our PhD Day (21st of February 2025) and Annual Conference PhD activities.
This year, the local PhD community of Krems University has organized a series of engaging activities for the Spring Conference, aimed at fostering connection and critical reflection. The PhD event will kick-off with an informal icebreaker session featuring interactive “get-to-know-you” games designed to bring the community together. Following this, the focus will shift to a thought-provoking discussion on the impact of academic research. When conducting migration research, it is crucial to pause and consider the potential effects—on the vulnerable groups we study, on ourselves as researchers, and on society as a whole. While our goal is to generate knowledge, we must also ask: What is the cost of gaining this knowledge? Are we giving back to the communities we research? What do we hope to achieve on a societal level? What are the potential benefits or risks? Exploring these questions can profoundly shape how we find meaning and fulfillment in our academic careers. To facilitate this reflection, the conference will feature both a panel discussion where speakers will share their ideas and an interactive workshop, providing a space for PhD researchers to engage in meaningful dialogue and exchange perspectives.