Coaching for Researchers and Research Leaders

Coaching is a developmental approach that provides a confidential, non-judgemental space for individuals to reflect on where they're at and set incremental, achievable goals for where they want to be. Every person's situation will be different and I work with clients to establish what they want to focus on and what they want to get out of coaching. I currently specialise in coaching for REF 2029 but also offer coaching around wider research themes for researchers and research leaders at all career stages and across all disciplines. Below you will find examples of the one-to-one and group coaching I offer. I also design bespoke programmes according to individual or institutional needs. Coaching takes place online.

If you want to get a sense of how coaching works, I offer a free, no-obligation 30 minute session where we can talk through your hopes (and any hesitations) about coaching, explore the coaching process, and see whether it feels like the right fit for you. Please feel free to contact me for more information or to discuss options.

One-to-One REF 2029 Coaching for Researchers

REF demands a lot from individual researchers, and it can be tricky to balance its demands with your own research plans alongside competing pressures and high workloads. Whatever career stage, discipline or field, coaching can lead to:

  • stronger alignment between REF expectations and personal career aspirations

  • stronger research outputs

  • higher quality impact case studies

  • more robust evidence gathering for impact

  • more successful funding applications

  • a stronger research profile

  • improved confidence

  • better life-work balance

One-to-One REF 2029 Coaching for Research Leaders

Whether at Unit of Assessment, Department, Faculty or University level, research leaders are central to REF 2029. Coaching can help established and new research leaders develop the confidence and skills needed to navigate the REF submission, leading to:

  • strengthened self-belief

  • more effective delegation and collaboration

  • clearer REF-focussed strategy, goals, and priorities

  • a clearer roadmap to REF 2029

  • greater confidence in the REF 2029 submission

  • more effective research impact

  • stronger Strategy, People, and Research Environment (SPRE) statements

  • enhanced support for colleagues and teams

  • a happier and healthier research culture

Research Coaching and Research Leadership Coaching

While I specialise in REF 2029, I also support academics across all aspects of their professional development. Whether you are seeking greater confidence, stronger leadership, clearer career direction, improved life-work balance, or support with research strategy, coaching provides a dedicated space to reflect, develop and achieve your goals. Themes include:

  • getting started with research

  • feeling stuck or overwhelmed

  • career development and promotion

  • leadership

  • life-work balance

  • confidence and imposterism

  • grant capture

  • publishing

  • impact and public engagement

  • returning to research after a break

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NEW for 2027: REF 2029 Group Coaching

Group coaching (or coaching circles) involves up to six individuals coming together to explore and set goals around common themes in relation to REF 2029. Group coaching can be particularly powerful because many of the challenges academics face in relation to REF 2029 are shared (e.g. competing priorities, leadership pressures, impact development). Researchers and REF leads can benefit via:

  • a more strategic approach to research outputs, impact and research leadership

  • enhanced leadership skills for supporting colleagues and leading REF-related activity

  • access to fresh perspectives, ideas and solutions from peers

  • stronger cross-disciplinary networks and collaborations

  • clear plans that support stronger research, greater impact and successful REF 2029 preparation

  • peer support for managing competing research and/or leadership demands