Academic Wellbeing in the Classroom

Principal Investigator
Prof. John D.E. Gabrieli and Prof. Pawan Sinha; Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Fund: Alumni Class Funds
Funding Period: AY2024
Department/Lab/Center: MIT McGovern Institute for Brain Research

The MIT Academic Wellbeing Initiative (AWI) aims to create a research-based approach that can foster an environment conducive to enhancing academic wellbeing and learning. This initiative was pitched to senior faculty by an alumna and builds upon ongoing efforts at MIT. The project defined here is a part of AWI - its specific goal is to improve the learning environment by empowering MIT faculty with knowledge about how to promote wellbeing inside the classroom. This is important because wellbeing sits at the foundation of learner readiness and is critical to learner success. The research team will work in collaboration with the Division of Student Life and under the guidance of senior leadership. This study stems from discussions during a 2022 MIT retreat which included senior leadership and faculty.