»Am I really good enough?« – The imposter phenomenon in academia and higher education

»Am I really good enough?«

»My successes were just down to luck.«

»When will people realise that I don't belong here at all?«

Many people are familiar with such thoughts – particularly in situations where performance, competition and high expectations come together. The worry that one is less competent than others believe, and that successes are attributable not to one’s own efforts but primarily to luck or chance, is known in psychology as Impostor syndrome is referred to as.

Excessive self-doubt can manifest itself in various ways: through perfectionism, overworking, procrastination or avoidance, as well as a tendency to downplay one’s own achievements. It can affect personal well-being and lead people to underestimate their abilities and potential.

But self-doubt need not determine how far we go.

The series of events entitled »Am I really good enough?« provides insight into the impostor phenomenon and offers a space to reflect on one’s own patterns of thought and behaviour. Participants learn to recognise their own impostor dynamics, to question distorted perceptions of their own competence, and to develop strategies for dealing with self-doubt.

The series begins with an online lecture and is complemented by two in-depth workshops for staff and students at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.

About the speaker

Photo: Carolin Brandt

Anna Pietzka is a psychologist and systemic counsellor who specialises in imposter syndrome. She helps people to understand excessive self-doubt and self-sabotaging behaviour, and to develop confidence in themselves, their ideas and their abilities.

As well as her professional and practical expertise, she also draws on her personal experiences of the imposter phenomenon in her work. Her book »Don’t believe everything your self-doubt tells you« is due to be published by Beltz Verlag in autumn 2026.

Target audience and registration

The offer is primarily aimed at women and other groups under-represented in the academic system, for example, people with a migrant background, first-generation university students and those from non-academic families.

Online lecture & workshops

Online talk:

• Wednesday, 28 October 2026, 4.00–5.30 pm

The online talk will cover, amongst other things:

• The imposter phenomenon and its typical characteristics
• Symptoms, causes and effects
• the so-called ‘impostor cycle’
• A reflection on distorted perceptions of competence
• Initial strategies for dealing with self-doubt
• Questions and discussion

Online participation is possible with no limit on the number of participants and without prior registration:

webconf.hs-nordhausen.de/rooms/wlq-4ow-tiw-uks

Workshop for staff at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

• Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 9 am–12 noon

The topic is explored in depth within a safe and supportive environment. Participants reflect on their own imposter dynamics, question their thought patterns and develop strategies for dealing with self-doubt in their personal and professional lives.

Employees may take part during working hours, provided they have the consent of their line manager and there are no business-related reasons preventing this.

Workshop for students at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

• Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 4.00–7.00 pm

The workshop offers students a space to explore their own self-doubts and thought patterns. Together, they will develop strategies for dealing with impostor-related thoughts and for using their own goals, values and skills more consciously as a guide.

The workshops are each 15 participants limited. Places will be allocated in the order in which applications are received. A waiting list will be set up if necessary.

Registration:

The series of events is being held as part of the federal-state programme „University of Applied Sciences Staff“ through the project ProfX implemented at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. The ProfX project is run by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) promoted.

The series of events is being held in collaboration with the University Health Management of the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences instead.