Finding Balance In Academia 2026

This is a proposal for the third annual mini-conference, "Finding Balance in Academia: Navigating Uncertainty and Cultivating Joy." This event is a departmental and school collaborative effort between Aeronautics and Astronautics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Koch Institute, the School of Engineering, and the School of Science. All members of the MIT community are welcome: Staff, Faculty, and Students.

Day One: Monday, June 8, 2026 - 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Day Two: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Koch Institute 76-156

Registration Deadline: June 5, 2026

About the Conference:

Academia often emphasizes intellectual excellence at the expense of mental and physical well-being. Our mini-conference seeks to address this imbalance by exploring wellness as an integral part of the academic journey. Through thoughtful and engaging sessions, we aim to provide attendees transformative insights into prioritizing mental and physical wellness.

Info: Panelists:
Robert Pozen - Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management
Susan Neal - Lecturer, Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship
Greg Epstein - Humanist Chaplain at Harvard and MIT
Higher education is in a moment of real strain—at MIT and across the country. Even as long‑standing models shift, we’re expected to stay productive, focused, and unfazed. But we’re human, and the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of this period affect us deeply. This panel invites our community to pause and explore evidence‑based ways to acknowledge these emotions while also making room for joy, meaning, and connection.

Info: This interactive workshop introduces faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students to Search Inside Yourself (SIY)—a globally acclaimed program originally developed at Google to enhance leadership, performance, and well-being through mindfulness and emotional intelligence. Facilitated by Tracie Jones Barrett, Advisor for Leadership Development in the Office of the Provost, this session explores how attention training, self-awareness, and compassion can become critical tools for thriving in high-performance environments at MIT.
Participants will learn to:
Cultivate greater focus and self-awareness
Manage stress and build emotional resilience
Communicate with clarity and empathy
Strengthen collaboration and team relationships
Apply mindfulness to academic, research, and leadership challenges

This evidence-based program blends neuroscience, practical tools, and guided practices to support a sustainable leadership mindset working at the forefront of innovation and discovery.

Info: Come get some breakfast before the event starts!

Info: This session introduces restorative justice practices—evidence-based approaches that prioritize healing, accountability, and mutual understanding over traditional punitive responses. Rather than focusing on blame, restorative justice emphasizes dialogue, relationship repair, and creating shared understanding between people in conflict. Participants will learn how these practices can transform workplace tensions into opportunities for deeper connection, trust, and belonging. Led by Nina Harris, Manager of Adaptable Resolution & Restorative Practices for IDHR, this interactive session will explore: 1) Core principles of restorative justice and how they differ from traditional conflict resolution 2) Practical tools for addressing workplace conflicts with compassion and honesty 3) How improved working relationships contribute to individual and collective wellbeing 4) Real-world applications within the MIT community.

Info: In this all-levels yoga session, we’ll explore how movement, breath, and stillness can help somatic settling in the face of uncertainty—a familiar companion in academic life. This practice will focus on grounding poses, mindful transitions, and gentle core work to strengthen our ability to stay centered. Whether you're new to yoga or a longtime practitioner, come as you are!

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