Verena Ly appointed as PhD Confidential Counsellor
As of 15 October, Verena Ly has been appointed as the new PhD confidential counsellor for the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Governance and Global Affairs for a term of four years. She succeeds Marije Bedaux.
Verena works as a senior policy adviser for research at the Institute of Psychology, in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. She has extensive experience as a confidential adviser, coach, trainer, and mentor in the areas of wellbeing, work-related welfare, personal development, leadership, and psychological safety for PhD candidates, students, and young professionals.
What can you contact the PhD Confidential Adviser about?
As a PhD candidate, you contact the PhD confidential counsellor with questions or concerns you wish to discuss in confidence, or with someone other than your supervisor or mentor. The confidential counsellor offers a listening ear and advice on a wide range of issues, such as problems in the working relationship, an unsafe working environment, concerns about the progress of your PhD track, or a disrupted work-life balance. In a confidential conversation, the adviser will help you explore your options and, if desired, can support you with the next steps—such as accompanying you to a difficult conversation.
Verena: ‘If you feel uncomfortable or unsure how to handle something, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me—even if it’s about small worries or doubts. Together, we’ll clarify what’s going on, map out your options, and see what you need to move forward.’
For more information about what a confidential counsellor does and does not do, please visit the Confidential counsellors page.