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Meet Taster Presenter Anando and hear all about his chosen topic of how we have shaped our understanding of children's mental health
Explore the intersection of mental health and education through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Delve into how history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and education can shape our understanding of children’s mental well-being. Examine themes like self-awareness, relationships, and decision-making, and discover how SEL fosters a deeper understanding of mental health in a broader social and cultural context.
For students interested in: Psychology; Sociology; Education; Philosophy; Social Policy; Anthropology
Meet your Presenter: Anando!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in six different cities across three Indian provinces— Bihar, West Bengal, and Maharashtra!
Where did you do your undergraduate degree? What did you study?
I studied social sciences as an undergraduate in India and later completed a master’s in the humanities at SOAS, University of London, before joining UCL as a PhD student.
What are you currently studying and what is your specific area of research?
I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Global Health and International Development. My research focuses on global citizenship and sustainability education and how it impacts children’s mental health and well-being in humanitarian contexts.
What are your favourite things about being a university student?
I love the diversity of perspectives and cultures I interact with daily, the intellectual freedom to explore complex questions, and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects that address global challenges.
Do you know what you want to do when you finish your degree?
I want to work at the intersection of climate change, public health, and development education. I’m particularly interested in contributing to planetary health— a field that explores how human health depends on a healthy planet, while also recognizing the ways human activities impact the environment.
What are you most excited about for UCL Expand?
I’m most excited to meet students and work with them to explore how the humanities and social sciences can address real-world problems. I’m looking forward to seeing how they apply their learning to design and develop their own projects.
Tell us a random fact about you.
I can walk or sit on a swing for hours, as long as I’m in a sunny park surrounded by greenery.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
The ability to understand and speak any language instantly. I’d love to connect with people worldwide without any language barriers.
If you could choose something to have an unlimited supply of, what would it be?
The wisdom of my elders and plants— both have so much to teach about growth, resilience, and balance.
Supplementary reading
Below you can find resources linked to the topics of mental health, education and Social-Emotional Learning. These resources are optional and for you to browse at your leisure.
- Children’s Mental Health and Well-being - podcast
Resource: Small Talk, Big Change (Podcast Series)
Host: Mental Health Foundation, UK
Why it’s useful: This seven-episode series explores critical issues affecting the mental health and well-being of children, young people, and their families. Intended for parents and carers, this podcast provides a thoughtful and practical approach to understanding and addressing mental health challenges in diverse contexts, which younger listeners can also benefit from.
- Mental Health Promotion in Schools - report
Publisher: Public Health England and the Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition
Why it’s useful: This comprehensive report outlines a whole-school approach to promoting mental health and well-being. It includes practical strategies for integrating mental health into school policies, curriculum, and culture.
- Introduction to Social-Emotional Learning: A Classroom Experience - video
Resource: Social-Emotional Learning: A schoolwide approach (video)
Platform: YouTube (Edutopia)
Why it’s useful: This video showcases how a particular school integrates social-emotional learning (SEL) into its school culture. Through a range of schoolwide strategies and classroom practices, it highlights how SEL creates a safe and supportive environment to help students thrive academically and emotionally.
- What are Emotions? - interactive website
Resource: Atlas of Emotions (interactive website)
Creator: Dr. Paul Ekman
Why it’s useful: An engaging, visual exploration of core emotions and their nuances, helping students develop emotional vocabulary and better understand emotional responses.
- Emotions, Mental Health, and Culture - article
Resource: How Universal Are Our Emotions? (article)
Publisher: The New Yorker
Why it’s useful: This article challenges the universality of emotions, exploring how emotional reactions vary across cultures. It provides a nuanced perspective on the intersection of emotions and cultural diversity, encouraging critical thinking about widely held assumptions of mental health.