Wayfinding

Sometimes we all need a little help to make sure we’re heading in the right direction.

Working with others to leverage their knowledge and expertise is one of the biggest smartcuts of all. Whether you want to gain new skills (or enhance existing ones), seek one-to-one assistance, or completely outsource work where possible, here are a few suggestions to get you started.

TRAINING

PROFESSOR DAN ALLWOOD

Writing Training & Proposal Development

Dan and I co-developed the Couch to £500K training programme to help researchers turn their idea into a grant proposal. When not guiding academics through the proposal creation process, Dan also provides writing training and runs the website FlashyScience.

DR CLARE JONAS

Skills Development & Wellbeing Support

Clare brings together a background in psychology research and teaching, first-hand knowledge of academia, and a genuine delight in empowering others. She offers skills training and wellbeing support for academics, 1:1 career and wellbeing coaching, and research communications consultancy.

SMART LARK TRAINING LTD

Skills Development

We bring together a team of passionate and experienced higher education professionals who deliver practical and engaging training to research professionals (basically anyone involved in research!). Our remit includes communication, policy, AI, research methods, career transitions and neurodivergence training.

COMMUNICATION

DR MARGARET HILEY

Translation (German to English)

Seeking to publish your German documents in English? Margaret uses her academic background to provide translations about a variety of subjects, with a focus on Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Law.

NAOMI MOTTRAM

Translation (French/Russian to English)

Naomi translates from French and Russian to English, primarily specialising in literary, creative, academic, and research texts, such as those concerned with legal, medical, or engineering topics.

DR LIZZY TANGUAY

Research Writing Development

Lizzy helps researchers (especially ESL authors) submit and publish with confidence. Blending coaching and teaching with her expertise as an applied linguist and editor, Lizzy supports the writing skills needed to successfully communicate research.

DUNCAN YELLOWLEES

Presentation Skills

Duncan and his fellow trainers help academics learn to speak with clarity and confidence.

COACHING

I can’t say this enough: it is vital for us to get out of our own heads if we are to make personal and professional progress. Rather than being stuck in the same cycle of unhelpful thoughts, harnessing the power of coaching allows you to see problems from a different perspective. Being asked the right questions means you can find the solution that is tailor-made for you … and get unstuck.

On that note, each coach will have a different style and approach: please make sure you find someone you click with.

DR EMMA GEOFFRAY

Learning to Thrive in Academia

Emma helps overwhelmed early-career researchers grow into thriving academics through coaching and training in teamwork, professional development, mental health, and DEI—all using simple, research-backed strategies.

DR WENDY NICHOLLS

Coaching for Academics

Wendy helps academics at career crossroads design sustainable paths forward. Whether you’re questioning what progression means, considering leaving academia, or needing to redesign your current role, Wendy provides structured support to build careers with autonomy, intellectual challenge and impact.

ANNE MARIE SOWERBUTTS

Personal Coaching

Would you like to quiet negative thoughts, achieve success in your academic career, and enjoy life at the same time? Anne Marie has been a qualitative researcher at the University of Manchester so knows the stresses and strains of academic life. She now helps stressed out academics find clarity and calm.

JO PLIMMER

Personal Coaching

With a background as a GB triathlete, Jo knows what it’s like to push herself beyond her limits. She has since turned her attention to helping people dealing with burnout and overwhelm get out of the boom-bust cycle and avoid the guilt that often goes hand-in-hand with overwork.

AMANDA MORRIS

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Regardless of what you’re dealing with, it can often be more helpful to look forward rather than be trapped by the past. The solution focused brief therapy practiced by Amanda does exactly what it says on the tin: it helps you find solutions, quickly.

VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS

Sometimes you just don’t have enough time in the day. Or maybe there are a lot of low-level tasks clogging your to-do list and preventing you from fully focusing on the work only you can do. This is where hiring a virtual assistant can free up time and headspace so you can achieve what really matters to you. Whether you’re trying to get a spin-out company off the ground and need more regular assistance or would love just a few hours of inbox management each month, VAs can often provide the flexibility to help you get things done.

JENNIFER GIBBARD

Virtual Assistant and Administrator

Jen is a freelance administrator and virtual assistant specialising in working with universities and HE-adjacent businesses. She draws on an extensive background in university professional services to support consultants, former academics, sector bodies, and other small businesses with all things admin, systems, processes, and projects.