Zoë Ayres (PhD) is an analytical scientist by background, with a PhD in electrochemical sensor development. After spending several years as a postdoctoral researcher in academia post-PhD, she now works in industry as a Senior Scientist. Additionally, Zoë is a mental health advocate, spurred on by experiencing mental illness herself during her PhD. Her advocacy work focuses on improving mental health in research settings, primarily focusing on PhD mental health. She raises awareness of the common issues PhD students face through various campaigns and initiatives, and can be found under the handle [...] on Twitter.

Provides tips and tricks on mental health management

Explores environmental factors that impact mental health

Examines the research culture we work in

TOC

Part I: Defining The Problem

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Challenging Perceptions - What is mental health anyway?

Chapter 3: Setting the Scene - Understanding the PhD Mental Health Crisis

Part II: Mindset Matters

Chapter 4: Self-Care: Without you there is no PhD

Chapter 5: Not another yoga session - University Wellbeing programs and why they so often miss the mark

Chapter 6: "I'll read it later" and other lies we tell ourselves - Managing Expectations and Guilt

Chapter 7: Why you earned it - Fighting the Impostor.- Part III: Environmental Stressors

Part III: Environmental Stressors

Chapter 8: Dismantling the Ivory Tower - Systemic Issues that Might Impact your Mental Health

Chapter 9: Perhaps it's not you it's them: PhD Student-Supervisor relationships

Chapter 10: Publish or Perish - On the Myth of Meritocracy

Part IV: Seeking Help

Chapter 12: Thriving, not just surviving