Experiences of GEES staff with mental health conditions

This paper presents findings from research with 75 Anglophone Geographers and Earth/Environmental Scientists who describe themselves as having a ‘disability’. The discussion focuses on one key finding from this project: the large proportion of respondents who indicated that they suffered from a ‘disabling’ mental health condition. Our research suggests that GEES practitioners with mental health conditions typically experience significant adverse effects in terms of teaching/learning, research and career development. The paper concludes by presenting questions and prompts for discussion to support the development of practice in GEES departments in relation to these issues.