Counsellors and coaches

On this page you can find an overview of councellors and coaches available to PhD candidates at the EUR. Always feel free to contact the Graduate School if you feel you have a problem or question that cannot be addressed properly via these support services.

EUR confidential counsellors

There are confidential counsellors available for you at Erasmus University. They serve as the contact persons for anyone who has been confronted with unwanted behaviour or unequal treatment in their study or work environment, such as:

• Harassment (sexual or otherwise)
• Aggressive behaviour and/or violence
• Teasing
• Stalking
• Unequal treatment
• Other issues

Psychological support for PhD candidates by OpenUP

Your PhD is a demanding trajectory. It can be stressful to deal with a full schedule and challenging research tasks. Research shows that at least 25% of PhD candidates is likely to develop a burn-out or a depression.

Talking with a psychologist can help you deal with work-related stress in a healthy and productive way. Do you have one or some of the below mentioned complaints or do you have other personal issues? You can reach out for support for PhD candidates to OpenUp: OpenUp | Erasmus University Rotterdam Employees | Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (eur.nl)

• You have troubles falling asleep or you feel tired during the day.
• You find it difficult to let go of your work in spare time and/or you keep procrastinating.
• Every question or task feels like too much.
• You find it difficult to concentrate and/or to focus.
• You doubt your capacities or you’re feeling insecure.
• You are withdrawing from social activities.
• You regularly deal with headaches, stomach aches or you’re easily agitated.
• You find it difficult to relax.

Who and what is OpenUp?
OpenUp offers low-threshold and quick access to psychologists and lifestyle experts by phone, chat or video call. It is a first preventive line to support with mental issues. Do you have something small or something big? Something private or work-related? You can put any question to the experts of OpenUp.

Work-life balance coaches

Balancing research with teaching and a social life might raise difficult questions. How do I say ‘no’? How do I set the right priorities? What are the factors that makes me feel stressed? What gives me energy and how do I retain pleasure in my work?

In order to help you answer these questions, Erasmus University has assigned several work-life balance coaches. You can find these coaches and their contact details here.

On your initiative and when it suits you best, you can contact one of these coaches and request an individual coaching session. The conversations will be during working hours and are strictly confidential. You do not have to inform your supervisor.

Faculty coordinators research integrity

Every faculty at EUR has a Faculty Research Integrity Coordinator. The responsibilities of the faculty coordinators include the following:

• stimulating a culture of integrity, and ensuring regular attention for the subject
• stimulating awareness of the integrity code, and functioning as information point
• coordinating of activities on research integrity
• referring people to relevant officers or counselors in case of suspicion of violation of research integrity or misconduct

An overview with the current coordinators you can contact in case you are seeking consultation and advice in matters related to academic integrity can be found here. 

EUR Ombudsman

The Ombudsman offers support and advice when you have questions, dilemmas or conflicts in the workplace. Whatever is discussed with the Ombudsman will be treated confidentially. Edith Weijnen was appointed Ombudsman of Erasmus University Rotterdam as of 1 June 2019. Please find more information here.

Mr. drs. Edith Weijnen
E-mail: e.weijnen@deombudsfunctionaris.nl
Phone: +31 (0)6 54 23 43 42