testimonials
participants own words
“There were several life-changing moments in these community coaching sessions and I’m so lucky to have been able to join them this year. They were essentially about our research and careers but we were inspired to go beyond them and contemplate life goals. It was a luxury to have this safe, friendly, uplifting and supportive community to share ideas and tips. It is so easy to get lonely in academia especially when you are on a one-year contract, this community has been an oasis.”
Cardiff University early career researcher 2024
“Before I started this programme, I was overwhelmed by the workload and having too many cups of coffee. I was finding it hard to focus on anything as I felt I was constantly chased by immediate tasks. At the end of this programme, I am in a better place to have a bigger picture of my life. I think I have overcome my self-doubt.”
Cardiff University early career researcher 2024
“I was struggling to focus on my research and failing to prioritise my research despite that being what was needed for promotion. I now recognise that by prioritising my research it is better for my wellbeing as well as my promotion prospects, and that by focussing on my research does not jeopardise my other work or working relationships.”
Cardiff University early career researcher 2024
“Community coaching has been such a gamechanger. I started a bit unsure about my work and future role, and this coaching has helped me grow incredibly. I’ve also enjoyed meeting other students going through the same challenges as me and learning from them.”
LSE doctoral researcher 2023
“I have really enjoyed the process of community coaching. As an academic, I really appreciated that Kate has done a lot of research to support the work she is doing with us. It was an inclusive environment and encouraged easy discussion between the participants.”
Cardiff University early career researcher 2024
“The community coaching sessions have been a really valuable space and time to think and reflect on career and ways of working. The community has been really supportive and connections have grown over the course of the programme. I would highly recommend this group process, The group have been fantastic to work with and everyone was very open, inclusive and friendly.”
Cardiff University early career researcher 2024
“This has been the most useful course I have done since doing my PhD. I have learned a lot and felt connected to others. but most significantly it’s given me the tools to reflect, reset and re-energise. Taking the time to reflect on my practice and consider how I might do things differently has been brilliant. And being with others who also have a similar experience has allowed me to feel less isolated.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“Before I started this programme, I was finding it difficult focusing and being confident. At the end of this programme I am more confident, purpose driven, focused and definitely a much better academic writer!”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“I had time to reflect on feasible goals, and thanks to you all, I achieved them! The buddy scheme was amazing. My buddy was very supportive and even volunteered to review my initial interview schedule.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“The community coaching programme has given my new perspectives on the value and worth of my research and has given me the tools to reframe my thinking to tackle the challenges that inevitably arise during any PhD.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“I really enjoyed the relaxed, supportive environment. I felt like I could be unapologetic and its ok to be raw. The accountability partnership was the cherry on top!”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“I was feeling massive overwhelm leading to panic and a lack of progress on my PhD. At the end of this programme, it’s still a work in progress but I feel like I am getting a better balance, feeling less overwhelmed. Being more accepting of my circumstances. Feeling better about resting and walking. Seeing as part of doing the PhD.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“I am much less anxious about where I am and my future career direction. I’ve learnt that many others are in the same position and have learnt tools to cope with this feeling as well as to plan and implement what I’ve learnt.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“This has been a really transforming experience. It’s been lovely to have the time and space to talk to other PhDs about the things we find scary, overwhelming but also joyous about the process. It’s been great to also reflect and outline my priorities and goals. I’ll really miss it and everyone involved. Thank you!”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2024
“It has been so powerful, I no longer feel alone. What I thought were my personal issues turned out to be (largely) common problems in academia. This realisation has been very freeing. More importantly, I feel like there are things I can try implementing to change.”
University of Bath postdoctoral researcher 2024
“The first time, I came in with the wrong attitude – I forced myself to attend but I know I didn’t have the time. I had so many things to do, I just couldn’t afford losing (sorry for this word!) an entire morning. After the session, I became instead mad at myself for how wrong I was. I felt so much better after the session, so much more energised, so much calmer – everything was into place (at least a bit more) and I felt I could face whatever was coming in the next days.”
University of Bath postdoctoral researcher 2024
“At the end of this programme, I am more confident. I can easily pinpoint where I belong in academia. I found my voice…and this transformation happened because I felt the support as well as the vulnerability of my peers.”
University of Bath established researcher 2024
“Before I have just tried to adapt and felt like a failure for not playing the game “properly”. But now I realise the things I value…and hopeful that if I keep going with what I love I will find work more rewarding.”
University of Bath mid-career researcher 2024
“I feel much clearer about what I need to do. I have gained perspective about prioritising what’s important, whilst also being strategic and more efficient around how I use my limited capacity.”
University of Bath mid-career researcher 2024
“This programme has helped me to start to establish a more balanced approach to work. I have learned to say “no” and that the time I want to spend on research is AS important as other tasks. I am more confident in giving time to myself, not so much as saying no, as saying yes to the right things.”
University of Bath mid-career researcher 2024
“I am clear in understanding my direction of travel, why I do research (why it is important to me personally) and I have a better idea of how to manage my energy and time to create space for research. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I feel I have a path to follow….rather than aimlessly meandering and ‘hoping’ something will stick.”
University of Bath mid-career researcher 2024
“The programme was a good reminder that even in academic research, vulnerability is sometimes unavoidable. We have all been there at some point, and those who are yet to experience it will! Embracing our/others humanity instead of striving to be superhero researchers sounds better to me.”
University of Bath mid-career researcher 2024
“I have really enjoyed and benefitted from the commitment of time to share and reflect, and to have that structured with careful and insightful prompts and well though through – and generous – insights form the team and colleagues.”
University of Bath mid-career researcher 2024
“Community coaching has helped me to step back and get a much better perspective on what I am doing and why. It works because it is bite-sized and practical. So much of what we have done has given me something tangible, strategies that I can apply every day and that have helped me to move forward in the last few months. Accountability has helped me to get more focussed. I am feeling better about the next 12 months.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“Before I started this programme I was feeling demotivated and wasn’t working at the quality or quantity I want or need to. At the end of this programme I have inspiration and ideas for how to progress going forward, and achieve my goals.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I was feeling a bit lost with what I was doing, having some difficulty moving on a piece of research, a bit overwhelmed. I am probably still a bit overwhelmed because too much to do, but I have launched and collected most of the data from that piece of research which is fab. Accountability partnering has been instrumental in that.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“Before I started this programme I was distracted from my PhD by other things, not certain if they were distractions or useful career building. At the end of this programme, I am really committed to getting the PhD done as a priority and giving equal priority to the ‘me’ targets on health rather than the work opportunities.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I was surprised at the authentic connection I felt with other scholars. I loved that they shared openly in the service of connection and support. It was wonderful to learn that a PhD programme does not have to be a lonely journey but instead we can build connections across disciplines.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“It was so great to know that I’m not alone in many of the things I struggle with. There are so many systemic issues that doctoral students face and having regular supported contact and coaching through a group like this has given me much more confidence in myself and my research.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“The community coaching has been a wonderful experience. It touched upon so many important points and the practices mentioned were so incredibly useful in making me a more confident researcher. It provided a safe space and I felt a true sense of belonging to a community that is going through similar challenges.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I was feeling stuck! I didn’t think I had a future in academia or that I would be able to finish my PhD. I was trying so hard to stay afloat at the cost of so many other things in my life. At the end of this programme I am feeling much better! I submitted my PhD and felt reconnected to my values and confident in myself as a researcher. I felt much more connected to my peers and that my contributions were valued. I’ve developed more self-confidence and become more comfortable with enforcing my own boundaries (even if I’m not good at it all the time! I felt validated that I am not alone in my struggles, and that other doctoral students and researchers feel the same. I am proud of my community and how resilient we all are. I am so glad I took the time to engage in this process.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I am feeling a much steadier confidence in myself as a researcher – and also as a human being who is able to balance the multiple challenges of life – I loved the combination of kindness and grit – and I feel very grateful to have been through ths programme in the early stages of my PhD.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I was unsure about how to move forward with my PhD and was not very confident with networking and presenting my work to different audiences. I have now decided how to move forward in terms of writing up my PhD and have developed the courage to put myself in situations I might not feel comfortable with.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I feel much more confident in addressing difficult conversations and making sure that this PhD stays MY PhD. I feel that I have tools to address these challenges and setbacks, but also peer support and inspiration and understanding from others. This community coaching program has been incredibly value for me to feel more confident and push for a PhD research topic that aligns with my interests, passion and values.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“Before I started this programme I was saying yes to everything and not equipped with habits that will help to build self-confidence and keep up momentum in my research. At the end of this programme, I am much better at saying no when needed (and now I know how to say no!). I also now have a range of tools that I can refer back to, whether that’s how to make connections, a saying no template or understanding what I need to prioritise.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I feel much calmer in myself, and recognise the impact that wanting perfectionism is having on what I can do, and am much likely to get on with something now than to procrastinate. I have allowed myself to make a mistake and see it for what it was, one small human error, and I am feeling much more positive about what lies ahead.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“Before I started this programme, I was finding it difficult to make time for my research, own my research and deal with emotions. At the end of this programme, I have more strategies for making time for my research, I am more confident in owning my research and I am better at being kind to myself, plus have more strategies to deal with my anxiety.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“It's so great to know that I'm not alone in many of the things I struggle with. There are so many systemic issues...and having regular supported contact and coaching through a group like this has given me more confidence in myself and my research. I feel like I've become a much better person and academic for it. I have the tools to maintain a career in academia without compromising on my values and physical/mental health anymore.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“The community coaching has been a wonderful experience. It touched upon so many important points and the practices mentioned were so incredibly useful in making me a more confident researcher. It provided a safe space and I felt a true sense of belonging to a community that is going through similar challenges.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“For me, this community coaching experience has been absolutely fantastic in feeling more confident and connected. It gave me the WHY and HOW to keep making sure that I follow my passion for my research. Connecting to other PhD researchers and talking about the challenges we face and how we address them has been incredibly empowering and uplifting. I loved the regular check-ins and will definitely miss this a lot!”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“The sessions have come at exactly the right time to step back from the pressures of academia and the continued grind of the PhD, providing an outlet and opportunity to develop evidence-led best practice for dealing with issues of self-doubt and imposter syndrome, dealing with and processing failure, managing expectations, and promoting life-work balance.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“It really builds a community feeling, sharing with different people and learning from them, so you feel you are contributing rather than passively learning. Sharing ideas or suggestions can help remind yourself of the things you know or what are good habits that can get a little lost.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I've found this community coaching programme to be a brilliant mix of nurturing, engaging content and gently challenging calls to action. It has worked really well in the early stages of a PhD, because it has challenged me to examine how I work and what my goals are before bad habits or aimlessness set in! The coaches are honest enough about their own struggles to be convincing, without undermining their expertise. It's been great to connect with peers in other universities, and to understand more about how PhDs in other disciplines work. All universities should offer this for their doctoral students - it would lead to a lot less drop-outs/ burn-outs.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“As I have participated in the PhD program, I have noticed the gap in support for many students. Their stress levels about their research along with their uncertain futures are significant parts of their lives. As a coach and student, I have often wondered how to help these brilliant and kind people see how wonderful they and their research is—this team have found a way. I feel that every student should have this opportunity. We were able to support each other along different phases of the PhD experience, drawing on each other’s experience, insights, knowledge, and support.The coaches created an inclusive, non-judgemental space where all our voices were valued.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“I've found this community coaching programme to be a brilliant mix of nurturing, engaging content and gently challenging calls to action... It's been great to connect with peers in other universities, and to understand more about how PhDs in other disciplines work. All universities should offer this for their doctoral students - it would lead to a lot less drop-outs/ burn-outs.”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023
“Before I started this programme I was struggling for structure and balance, feeling stuck about how to resolve it. At the end of this programme, I am still struggling with balancing study and family commitments BUT I’m more accepting of why, and maybe that it’s ok! I’ve got some clear ideas of how to increase structure and to accept the ups and downs. I’m confident I’ll get there in the end!”
SWDTP doctoral researcher 2023