Finding Balance in Academia 2026: Navigating Uncertainty and Cultivating Joy

12:00 pm - 12:15 pm

Welcome and Introductions

Session 1

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Panel: “Cultivating Meaning and Joy Amidst Uncertainty”

Panelists: 

          Robert Pozen - Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution  

            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. We’ll look at the science behind chronic work‑related stress—why so many of us remain in a fight‑or‑flight state—and discuss practical strategies for interrupting that cycle in a research environment that rarely fits into a 9–5 day.

Drawing on insights from Evans and Burnett’s work on intentional life design, we’ll also consider how to build a purposeful, fulfilling life within the realities of our current circumstances.

We hope you’ll join us for a candid, compassionate conversation about caring for ourselves and each other during a time of change.

1:45 pm - 2:00 pm

Snack and Coffee break 

Session 2

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Search Inside Yourself (SIY): Mindful Leadership and Emotional Intelligence -  Facilitated by Tracie Jones Barrett, Ed.D, Advisor for Leadership Development in the Office of the Provost

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 for individuals and teams working at the forefront of innovation and discovery.

10:00 pm - 10:30 am

Welcome and Breakfast

Session 3

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Healing Conflict, Strengthening Connections: How Restorative Justice Creates Happier Workplaces  - led by Nina Harris Manager of Adaptable Resolution & Restorative Practices for IDHR

Conflicts and tensions in working relationships are inevitable in high-pressure academic and research environments, but they don't have to damage our wellbeing or sense of community. 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:

• Core principles of restorative justice and how they differ from traditional conflict resolution
• Practical tools for addressing workplace conflicts with compassion and honesty
• How improved working relationships contribute to individual and collective wellbeing
• Real-world applications within the MIT community

Whether you're navigating team dynamics, mentorship relationships, or departmental tensions, this session offers actionable strategies for turning conflict into an opportunity for growth, healing, and lasting happiness in your work relationships.

12:00 pm - 12:15 pm

Snack and Coffee break 

Session 4

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Guided Yoga for Centering Joy - led by Tara Thakurta, MIT Grad Student

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! 

1:45-2:00pm

Closing Remarks