On 12 July 2023, the School of Law and Criminology hosted an interactive half day event "React Sometimes, Respond Always: Self-Care Strategies for Mitigating Trauma" which introduced self-care as an integral component to adept professional practice. The workshop discussed findings from the work of the Global Self-Care Initiative, a multidisciplinary international project focused on advancing the concept of self-care. The findings from this research and trauma-informed care practices are used to develop pragmatic practice modesl and tools to strengthen self-care practices. The 48 attendees were people working and leading across a range of professions including mediators, lawyers, healthcare, health and safety, education and refugee services.
On 13 July 2023, the School hosted a second interactive half day event which brought together 30 mediators from the MII to better understand the impact of trauma on those working with others. There was great enthusiasm to discuss how this materialises in mediation practice and to try a variety of self-care tools grounded in neuroscience. There was discussion, as well, on how the mediation profession might best participate in the Global Self-Care Research Initiative over the coming months.
Both events were opened by Head of School, Dr Fergus Ryan. There was great engagement in both events. All participants will be provided with a Certificate of Attendance from the University of Kentucky as well as a copy of the presentation and self-care templates.