Coaching for Researchers and Research Leaders

Coaching 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. 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 contact me for more information or to discuss options.

One-to-One REF Coaching for Researchers

REF demands a lot from individual researchers and it can be tricky to balance its demands with your own research plans. REF can feel stressful and this can lead to low confidence and even resentment about the process. Coaching themes around REF can include:

  • understanding your place in REF

  • getting started with REF

  • developing a strategy for REF outputs

  • writing REFable outputs

  • getting a publication over the line

  • grant capture for REF

  • working on impact

  • leading an impact case study

  • practice-based research and REF

  • balancing institutional expectations with your research plans

  • confidence and imposterism

  • pressure and life/work balance


Everyone's needs will be different and these represent typical REF themes I have coached researchers around. Please contact me to discuss ideas and options.

One-to-One REF Coaching for Research Leaders

Whether it’s at Units of Assessment (UoA), Faculty or University level, research leads often feel pressure when coordinating and implementing REF strategy. REF coaching in this area can support research leaders with themes such as:

  • leading throughout the REF life cycle

  • coordinating impact and impact case studies

  • developing research culture

  • authoring a Strategy, People, and Research Environment (SPRE) statement

  • evaluating outputs

  • practice-based portfolios

  • confidence and imposterism

  • becoming a research leader

  • leadership and delegation

  • balancing research leadership with your own research

Everyone's needs will be different and these represent typical REF themes I have coached researchers around. Please contact me to discuss ideas and options.

Research and Research Leadership Coaching

I offer one-to-one in areas such as:

  • getting started with research

  • feeling stuck

  • career development and promotion

  • leadership

  • life/work balance

  • confidence and imposterism

  • grant capture

  • publishing

  • impact and public engagement

  • returning to research after a break


Everyone's needs will be different and these represent typical themes I have coached researchers and research leaders around. Please contact me to discuss ideas and options.

Contact me

Coming in 2027: REF Coaching Groups

A coaching group (or circle) involves up to six individuals working within the same institution and who come together to explore and set goals around common themes and challenges in relation to REF. Examples include:

  • Unit of Assessment leads

  • senior REF leads

  • researchers new to REF leadership

  • writing REF documentation

  • REF output writing

  • research funding bids

  • developing individual, unit, or institutional REF strategy


I can design bespoke coaching circle packages around your institution's requirements. Please contact me to discuss ideas and options.