Do you avoid speaking up about your needs or sharing your ideas to faculty or peers? Are you afraid that voicing concerns will affect your position or status on campus? Do you feel like an outsider – like there is no one you can really talk to? You are not alone!

The Office of Ombuds Services and the Graduate School are offering a virtual session on March 28 from 9a.m. to 10:30a.m. to help with these concerns. In this 90-minute virtual session, you will:

• discuss the importance of psychological safety in open and honest professional communication,
• take steps to self-assess your own psychological safety needs, and
• learn strategies to engage in respectful dialogue with leaders & peers about increasing psychological safety in research and learning spaces.

Topics include cultural sensitivity, belonging, interpersonal risk-taking, compassionate dialogue, and the effects of increased psychological safety on workplace effectiveness and innovation. 

This interactive workshop includes self-reflection, breakout discussion, and action planning activities. Participants are encouraged to design a “next steps” plan for asking important questions, setting personal goals, or speaking up about concerns with a mentor, advisor, peer, or other professional colleague. Attendance via smartphone is not recommended.

Register here to participate or contact Ivonne Vidal Pizarro (ividalpi@utk.edu) with any questions.