"Finding Balance in Academia" Mini-Conference 2026: Need a re-set after a hectic semester? Join us for two days of personal introspection, well-being work, and somatic settling.

[Amanda Beyer-Purvis]

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Feeling wrung out after a whirlwind semester?

You are not alone! — and you deserve a reset. Join us for a two‑days of mini‑workshops designed to help you breathe, reflect, reconnect with yourself, and enjoy some good food. Even if you are only free to pop by for one or two workshops, we’d love to see you there!

Register today!<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-balance-in-academia-2026-tickets-1988401664906?aff=oddtdtcreator>

Schedule-at-a-Glance:

  *   Day One: Monday, June 8, 2026,  12:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  *   Day Two: Tuesday, June 9, 2026,  10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  *   Location: Koch Institute 76-156
  *   Registration Deadline: June 5, 2026

Day 1: Meaning, Joy & Mindful Leadership

We kick off with a candid, uplifting panel on Cultivating Meaning and Joy Amidst Uncertainty featuring Robert Pozen, Susan Neal, and Greg Epstein — three voices who deeply understand the pressures of academic life. Together, we’ll explore why so many of us live in fight‑or‑flight mode, and how to reclaim space for purpose, connection, and joy even when the world feels chaotic.

Then we shift into Search Inside Yourself, a hands‑on workshop led by Tracie Jones Barrett, Ed.D. You’ll learn practical, science‑backed tools for focus, emotional resilience, compassionate communication, and mindful leadership — all tailored for the realities of MIT’s high‑performance culture.

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Day 2: Warm Breakfast + Restorative Practices + Yoga

We start with a warm breakfast before diving into Healing Conflict, Strengthening Connections, an interactive session with Nina Harris. You’ll discover how restorative justice can transform everyday tensions into opportunities for trust, belonging, and healthier working relationships.

We close with a grounding, all‑levels yoga session led by MIT grad student Tara Thakurta — a gentle, centering practice to help your body and mind settle after a demanding semester.

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Two days. Real conversations. Practical tools. Good food. And a chance to reconnect with what matters most.

Come reset with us — you’ll walk away lighter, clearer, and more supported than when you arrived.

Register today!<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-balance-in-academia-2026-tickets-1988401664906?aff=oddtdtcreator>


Amanda Beyer-Purvis, PhD
Director, Outreach and Community Engagement for EECS
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
38-488 | abeyerpu at mit.edu<mailto:abeyerpu at mit.edu>
Office: 617-253-4624
[A button with "Hear my name" text for name playback in email signature]<https://www.name-coach.com/amanda-beyer-purvis>
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