mask with hand over faceA workshop on Imposter Phenomenon is aimed at helping people with feelings of being a fraud.

Workshop to aid in managing imposter phenomenon

For those who feel like a fraud and question whether they even belong at the University of Windsor, a workshop titled “Recognizing and Managing Imposter Phenomenon” may help.

Psychology professor Dana Ménard, one of the workshop presenters, says imposter feelings may include:

  • high levels of self-doubt and self-criticism,
  • difficulty accepting compliments or praise,
  • perfectionism, and
  • concerns that others will find out you don’t know what you are doing.

The workshops will detail how imposter feelings may present, and provide practical tips and resources for recognizing and managing those feelings.

“Feeling like an impostor is a common experience for individuals in academia and is characterized as an intellectual feeling of phoniness that can undermine confidence in oneself,” says Dr. Ménard.

“In fall of 2019 we conducted a campus-wide survey about how IP was affecting people at UWindsor — we got a massive response with more than 150 staff and faculty participants, as well as more than 1,400 students.”

Researchers will share some of their survey results during three 90-minute sessions:

  • Student sessions
    Monday, Nov. 23, 3 p.m.
    Wednesday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m.
     
  • Faculty and staff session
    Tuesday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m.

To register for the free workshops, visit IP Workshop Registration page and submit your email. Participants do not need a Blackboard account to join a session.