The “Engineers have Feelings Project”: Mental Wellness Support in Engineering Education

Mental Health is an important topic in our current university environment, both for students and academic staff. Starting in the 2019/2020 academic year the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary implemented a mental health intervention program in first year engineering courses.

Each intervention consists of content delivery, an in-class activity and a personal reflection designed to support student well-being. In this session, we’ll review the intervention program and discuss successes and learnings. 

In addition, we will facilitate an activity designed to support the mental well-being of the webinar attendees. Presented by Dr. Kim Johnston Dr.Johnston is the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning; Student Professional Development) for the Schulich School of Engineering and joined the leadership team in 2018. Dr. Johnston became an academic after completing her PhD in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary in 2017 where she focused her research on the phase behaviour of bitumen solvent systems. Dr. Johnston worked in industry after completing her BSc in Chemical Engineering at the University of Calgary in 2005. She advanced her career with Devon Canada, moving from field engineer to production engineer to reservoir simulation engineer between 2005 and 2011. 

Today, Dr. Johnston is focused on engineering education innovation and advancing mental health during the engineering education process.