Wellbeing – Why does it matter, how
do we start the conversation, and what can it do for university students?

A summarization of the first CBS – Wellbeing Conference, 1st October 2024

Simon Sinek’s “Golden Circle” theory begins with asking “why”[1] — and when it comes to the well-being of students at higher educational institutions like Copenhagen Business School (CBS), that question is particularly important. Before moving on with what the conference is about, let’s start with the kernel of circle; why is student well-being vital? How can we start the conversations about it? What difference does it make for students at CBS?

On October 1^st, 2024, CBS held its first-ever Well-Being Conference. The event was spearheaded by Pernille Steen Pedersen, a lecturer and researcher who also leads the CBS Well-Being Lab. The purpose of the conference was to address why student well-being matters and how it can be improved. More than one hundred showed up, including Peter Møllgaard, the dean of CBS, Inger Askehave, the Deputy President of CBS, Anna Tomassen, the Dean of Education at CBS as well as several students and other interested.

Pernille Steen Pedersen welcoming the visitors to the first Wellbeing conference

Why Well-Being Matters

The focus on well-being isn’t new, but it’s increasingly gaining attention, especially among younger generations like Gen Z, who are more open about discussing mental health. However, there is still much progress to be made in addressing well-being in higher education. Students often face intense academic pressure, struggle to balance their studies with personal life, and deal with feelings of insecurity. To put it into words: “Standing in a lake of insecurity”. These issues make student well-being a critical topic for institutions like CBS.

At the beginning of the conference, Inger Askehave raised several important topics, including the challenges that young people face today. She focused on highlighting the importance of communities, and that no one should ever felt left behind in the conversation on wellbeing. This brings us to the topic on wellbeing at universities. Navigating through the student life can be challenging and tough on many people, but if we focus on the importance of communities, we have already taken the first step towards being inclusive and open, even if it is not the easiest thing to do. It takes time, and it is worth the effort.

How to Start the Conversation

The Well-Being Conference was a way to spark that conversation. Over 100 attendees gathered to hear from four CBS alumni, who shared their research on well-being and took part in discussions with the audience. The conference also featured a podcast session from Karriereklubben (which you can listen to here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ta3FhSjISCPWnk3OnWaPI) , followed by a panel debate featuring Peter Møllgaard, Emilia Caliskan from the Danish National Union of Students, and Marco Zanoni, president of CBS Students.

Four CBS alumni, Lea Thingmann, Natalie Chevilly, Karoline Keller Rolsted and Josephine Kugelberg Pedersen, were all invited to present their theses on wellbeing, which they all wrote during their time as Master Students at CBS. One of the questions that was raised during Lea’s presentation was a simple “How is your well-relating?” (once again, we may refer back to the golden circle’s second layer). Although it may appear as a simple question, there is room for lots of reflection and a thought process.

This sparked the conference and opened for the first panel session of the day.

Nathalie Chevilly presenting her study on wellbeing

The Impact of Well-Being Initiatives

A major takeaway from the conference was the importance of reducing stigma around issues like social anxiety. For this conference, Karriereklubben and a panel consisting of André Thormann, Benjamin Anker, and Cecilie Olesen, addressed a handful of dilemmas regarding wellbeing. During Karriereklubben’s session, a recent graduate posed a dilemma about whether to disclose their anxiety during a job interview. This discussion, also featured in a podcast recorded during the event, highlighted the need to normalize conversations around mental health. By addressing these topics, institutions like CBS can help reduce the stigma, making it easier for students to seek support. More on this in the next article.

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly impacted student well-being, as noted by Marco Zanoni during the closing debate. The long periods of isolation and the shift to a post-pandemic world have taken a toll on students, reinforcing the need for initiatives like the Well-Being Conference.

Another important factor is the conversation between generations. Universities are often associated with young adults, most of them currently either late Millennials or Generation Z. Building bridges between the different generations is also an indication on how to start the conversation on wellbeing, as well as spreading it. This was clear during the closing debate with Marco Zanoni, Peter Møllgaard and Emilia Caliskan.

Looking Ahead

Improving student well-being is a long-term effort, but the success of the first Well-Being Conference is a step in the right direction. With plans for another conference in 2025, CBS is continuing its commitment to addressing this important issue. The more open and willing we are to discuss and address these topics, the more we will see an improvement. It all comes back to the kernel of the golden circle; why do we address this? Because there is a certain importance, when it comes to wellbeing. With this conclusion, I can say that we are already counting down to the next wellbeing conference!

// Rachel Ellebye