Coaching for academics

I offer coaching for academics - from undergraduates, PhD students, PDRAs (post-docs) and academic group leaders.  I was a scientist for 11 years. I know how amazing a breakthrough result feels, how rewarding public engagement is, how it feels to secure a grant or finally publish after a long project.

I recently wrote about academic career crossroads for Times Higher Education, and mental health for Voices in academia. and Saying "No" in academia for my own blog.

Equally, I am aware of how competitive and isolating academic life can be, how feelings of being “stuck” can creep in; how the lack of someone impartial to talk to can be demoralising. I know that handling mental health and wellbeing is a challenge in academia.

I became a coach to help people like you.

Through coaching I’ve helped people explore their identities, their relationships and bring balance to their lives. I've helped those who want to move on resolve bittersweet feelings. Through coaching, I offer quality time to think about the present and plan your future.

A coaching culture in your institute or department

I also provide training and mentoring to those looking to introduce coaching culture into their team, department or faculty. Typically, this involves training members of staff to act as a coaching facilitators for their colleagues - championing coaching principles to help boost wellbeing and ultimately reduce staff absences. I also work with teams but I've also worked individually with members of staff within the NHS and academic research institutions - on topics including time-management, resilience and imposter syndrome.

Feeling happy, working well

I know that working in an academic environment often involves spinning many plates. Coaching can help you manage these aspects while exploring ways to resolve challenges.

My coaching in University programs are flexible, but here are some popular examples:

• One-to-one coaching - Working with group leaders and staff to boost wellbeing, confidence and productivity.
• Small group (2-3 staff) coaching sessions - usually attending online from their own homes, providing a relaxed atmosphere away from their place of work. Coaching topics might include: establishing a new team, where to go next and resolving conflict.
• Training "coaching ambassadors" from your staff - to bring coaching approaches into your department or faculty lead by best practice. This approach is something I am passionate about, as it tends to be the most cost effective, but can also have a profound impact long term on the culture, with the ambassadors already being trusted staff members.

If any of this rings true; if you would like a chat about how coaching might help you, please send me a message at hello@wooltoncoaching.com. Or give me a call on 07974157792. Have a read of what my other clients say.