Mental Health Distress and Disability Adjustments: Examining Collaborative Approaches to Accommodation and Adjustments for PhD Students with Psychosocial Disabilities at Australian Universities

About the Project

Project aims

Research shows that 30-40% of PhD students will experience some form of mental distress during their PhD journey. The Hopkins Centre PhD student, Ali Khan, is using a first-of-its-kind inclusive approach by collaborating with PhD students, university administrators and professors to examine these barriers and gaps to PhD students, resulting in poor mental health. By seeking inclusive, holistic insights from key stakeholders, the research will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the policies and procedures that shape the accommodation framework within higher education.

Expected outcomes

This research aims to develop sensible and inclusive approaches to mental health accommodations for PhD students by:

Reducing bureaucracy
Improving the adjustment and accommodation process
Preventing unnecessary barriers for PhDs, professors and administrators

The research will empower universities to accommodate personal circumstances and advocate for the right to inclusive education for persons with disabilities.

Expected impact

This important research will fill a significant gap in the literature by addressing the following:

This research aims to address the gap in the literature by examining psychosocial disability adjustments and accommodations specifically within the context of PhD students in Australian higher education.
This approach will highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by professors and administrators.
This study will expand the current literature by incorporating the perspectives of professors and university administrators on the adjustment and accommodation delivery process for PhD students.
Improved support systems help reduce attrition rates among both PhD students and supervisor withdrawals, fostering a more stable and productive academic community.
Ultimately, the research will help universities create more inclusive and effective environments, ensuring that students with psychosocial disabilities can fully engage in their academic journeys.

Progress

This project has just received full ethics approval and is starting data collection in July. More information will be provided as the project progresses.

Participate

Invitation to Participate in Research on "Mental Health Distress and Disability Adjustments: Examining Collaborative Approaches to Accommodation and Adjustments for PhD Students with Psychosocial Disabilities at Australian Universities".

Dear PhDs, University Administrators, and PhD Advisors:

We invite you to participate in a research study that aims to address one of the most pressing and overlooked challenges in higher education: mental health distress among PhD candidates and the effectiveness of disability adjustments and accommodations within university systems.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are currently seeking participation from:

PhDs who are currently enrolled at an Australian university and have requested and received a reasonable adjustment or accommodation related to mental health distress: anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder

Note: While remote and part-time PhD candidates are welcome to participate, preference will be given to full-time and on-campus candidates to ensure consistency in institutional experience.

University administrators involved in disability support, equity, or postgraduate coordination
Supervisors and academic staff who advise and support PhD students.

WHAT PARTICIPATION INVOLVES

You will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and, if eligible and willing, participate in a focus group discussion. All information will be treated confidentially, and your privacy and well-being are of the utmost importance. Ethics approval has been granted by Griffith University.

WHY THIS MATTERS

This study is more than academic—it is about creating real-world change. By bringing together students, supervisors, and administrators, we aim to co-design solutions that ensure:

PhD students receive timely and fair accommodations
Supervisors are supported and not overwhelmed by external pressures
Administrators can operate effectively within policy frameworks while meeting individual needs
We believe this research can contribute to meaningful improvements in how universities respond to mental health distress, ensuring better outcomes for students and staff alike.