Wellbeing in Higher Education: Harnessing Mind and Body Potentialities

Drawing on holistic research and professional practice, this book provides rich empirical, scientific, and clinical lenses to the discourse on wellbeing in higher education.

The authors have appraised the underlying, conceptual, empirical, and applied nature of existing mind-body programmes often utilized to cultivate wellbeing (e.g., seated meditation, yoga, Taijiquan, Pilates, Feldenkrais, biofeedback, and the Alexander technique). Higher education is touted as a sector that develops new ideas for the wider community as well as ensuring students are provided with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to positively contribute to the wider community. Within this setting, there are numerous benefits (e.g., attaining a reputable qualification), but there are also risks (e.g., stressors associated with expectations). To ensure the higher education setting is a place of wellbeing in addition to achievement, several strategies are promoted to assist staff and students whilst working and studying. Chapters offer clear implications for research and practice, and explore effective strategies for enhancing wellbeing for students and staff.

The integrative mind-body programmes have considerable potential for developing wellbeing in the higher education settings. As such, this book will appeal to academics and researchers in the higher education sector, including scholar-practitioners, and teacher educators.

Marcus A. Henning is an Associate Professor and Post-Graduate Academic Advisor in the Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education at the University of Auckland. His research interests include: quality of life, motivation, organizational behaviour, and professional integrity.

Christian U. Krägeloh is a Professor in the School of Clinical Sciences at Auckland University of Technology, and a founding member of the New Zealand World Health Organisation Quality of Life Group (NZ WHOQOL Group). His research interests are in psychometrics, outcome measurement, as well as conceptual and philosophical issues in psychology, especially regarding the concept of mindfulness.

Fiona Moir is a Senior Lecturer in The Department of General Practice and Pastoral Care Chair in the Medical Programme at The University of Auckland. She has developed a wellbeing curriculum and support pathways in the medical programme and wider university. Her research interests are practitioner and student wellbeing, mindfulness, communication skills, and mental health.

Yan Chen is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education at the University of Auckland. Her research interests lie on the intercept between culture and cognition, with a particular focus on identity, narratives, and individual wellbeing.

Craig S. Webster is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, University of Auckland, New Zealand. He is a psychologist, with interests in human factors, mental models, teamwork functioning, patient safety, and mindfulness.