Trauma and the Impact of Research on Emotionally Challenging Subjects

A one-day in-person symposium
📍 University of Southampton | Friday 17th April 2026

💼 Funded by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton

🧠 In conjunction with the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP) and the University of Brighton

This event emerges from growing momentum, shared conversations, and widespread recognition of a significant gap: the emotional and psychological impacts experienced by researchers working with sensitive, traumatic, or ethically complex material through quantitative methods.

While vicarious trauma and researcher wellbeing are increasingly recognised in qualitative contexts, there has been far less space to discuss these issues for those working with numbers, surveys, administrative datasets, or large-scale statistical analyses - especially in areas such as suicide, violence, abuse, conflict, and inequality.

This symposium has been shaped by enthusiastic calls for dialogue, solidarity, and practical guidance across multiple institutions, cohorts, and methodological approaches. We are delighted to convene this gathering - made possible with funding from the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southampton - to begin that conversation in earnest.

We’re thrilled to welcome an exceptional lineup of speakers and contributors:

Lead researcher on The Researcher Wellbeing Project at the University of Bath, Dr Skinner will deliver a keynote drawing on her work around researcher distress, trauma, and secondary trauma in sensitive research environments.
🔗 The Researcher Wellbeing Project

Professor of Global Health and Social Epidemiology at LSHTM, Professor Devries will contribute insights from her work on violence prevention, gender-based violence, adolescent mental health, and suicidal behaviours, reflecting on the ethical and institutional challenges of working with large-scale quantitative data in sensitive domains.

A full programme for the day will follow in due course once final speakers and panel contributors are confirmed

• Thought-provoking keynotes
• A dynamic panel chaired by Professor Athina Vlachantoni, featuring a diverse and exciting group of researchers at different career stages
• Space to share experiences, strategies, and questions
• Networking across disciplines and institutions
• Creative, caring, and critical conversations about researcher wellbeing, relational ethics, and the emotional sustainability of working with and alongside those we research

Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided, with vegetarian and vegan options available.

If you have any additional dietary requirements, including gluten-free options, please contact Clare Phillips at [email protected].

As catering is ordered based on final numbers, please let us know as soon as possible if you’re unable to attend. We completely understand that life is busy and unpredictable, but we kindly ask for advance notice where possible - we have a high level of interest and would love to offer your place to someone else, and avoid unnecessary food waste

We welcome:

• Researchers and practitioners at all stages - including PhD students, early career researchers, established academics, and professionals
• Researchers using quantitative, mixed, or large-scale data methods
• Anyone working with emotionally demanding topics (e.g. violence, mental health, trauma, inequality)

Please note that topics including violence, abuse, suicide, and trauma will be discussed throughout the symposium; we encourage attendees to attend to their own wellbeing and step out at any time if needed.

Centenary Building (Building 100), Level 6
Highfield Campus, University of Southampton
Southampton, SO17 1BJ
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🩺 Clare Phillips
Alcohol Nurse Specialist & SCDTP PhD Candidate in Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton

📊 Clara Girault
SCDTP PhD Candidate, University of Southampton, researching within trauma-informed methodologies and quantitative approaches

✊ Sadie Rockliffe
SCDTP PhD Candidate at the University of Brighton, working within social justice, critical disability studies, and postqualitative inquiry

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Host or Publisher SCDTP Trauma in Research Special Interest Group