Alice Bell Coaching provides one-to-one and group coaching for academic researchers and research leaders at all career stages and across disciplines (whether lab, desk or practice based). I provide coaching in all aspects of research and researcher development but also specialise in coaching for the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2029).
REF 2029 presents opportunities for both researchers and research leaders, but it can also bring uncertainty, competing priorities, and pressure. Whether you are seeking to strengthen your research outputs, develop a stronger impact case study, lead a successful REF submission, or balance REF expectations with your longer-term career plans, I specialise in helping academics and research leaders make strong contributions to REF 2029 while also exploring and making plans for their wider careers aims.
As an EMCC-accredited coach and academic with more than 20 years of experience in research, research leadership and REF, I bring an understanding of the realities facing researchers and institutions. I have served as a REF lead since 2020, been a submitting researcher in REF 2014, REF 2021 and REF 2029, and contributed an Impact Case Study to REF 2021. REF coaching provides a confidential and structured space to think freely and develop a clear path forward. It is not consultancy, mock assessment or scoring. Rather, coaching empowers individuals to develop their REF 2029 strategy in a way that supports both institutional objectives and their own research and career goals.
Of course REF is just one element of research in the UK. Outside of REF, I also offer coaching to academics looking to work on other areas of their professional life. On the Coaching Services page you will find examples of some coaching themes and outcomes. These are not exhaustive and I always work with each person to explore what they would like to focus on.
If you would like to explore whether coaching is right for you, please get in touch for an initial conversation.
