ABSTRACT
Self-compassion involves being kind and understanding toward oneself rather than being harshly self-critical, even in instances of uncertainty, unknown, pain, failure, or worry. Self-compassion is a journey. On this journey the unexpected can emerge for us, and this can be activating. Compassion comes with self-compassion, kindness, empathy, gratitude, and appreciation as prosocial acts that impact not only those on the receiving end, but also those embodying. In the workplace, there is a flow on effect for efficiency, success, positive relationships, and individual wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we look at teaching and learning. The pandemic forced higher education to learn new technologies, to transform into remote teaching, and to adapt quickly to new realities by adapting pedagogical practices. The narratives and visual narratives shared are powerful reminders of the social and relational aspect of wellbeing and self-care. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Narelle Lemon, Heidi Harju-Luukkainen, and Susanne Garvis;individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Presenting a collective international story, this book demonstrates the importance of compassion as an act of self-care in the face of change and disruption, providing guidance on how to cope under trying conditions in higher education settings. Practising Compassion in Higher Education presents an opportunity to learn through story and by taking proactive action for our wellbeing. It highlights the need to protect and maintain the wellbeing of staff and students, positioning the COVID-19 pandemic as a major catalyst of disruption. The chapters connect theory with lived experience, exploring self-compassion in work and research, compassion in teaching practice and within the personal/professional blur. The book's contributors bring a range of theoretical and personal perspectives from various global contexts, sharing their own approaches to self-care and how compassion has become a central and crucial element of this practice. This book takes a unique approach to navigating and surviving the higher education environment and offers valuable lessons for the pandemic era and beyond. This will be an essential resource for students and professionals working in all areas of higher education. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Narelle Lemon, Heidi Harju-Luukkainen, and Susanne Garvis;individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The responses to COVID-19 have been different across the countries in the world, but nevertheless the pandemic has resulted in a state of emergency in all of them. It can be stated that COVID-19 has disrupted the "normal” routines of societies. In this chapter we present experiences of when we as academics tried to cultivate compassion amongst our students while teaching in higher education during a crisis. The textual and visual data of this study, our narratives, and images come from four different countries, from four different higher-educational contexts. These personal experiences and the differences in them are described and systematically analysed to understand them. According to our results, students were supported in multiple ways on three different levels in the academic context (administrational, operational, and individual). As a conclusion, we highlight four practical outcomes for future work with students during crisis. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Narelle Lemon, Heidi Harju-Luukkainen, and Susanne Garvis;individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved.