projects | coaching
One-to-one coaching
I offer personalised guidance for researchers or practitioners interested in crafting effective op-eds or generally improving their writing for non-specialist audiences.
- Approach — listening and thinking together about what you want to achieve
- Goals — finding your voice, solving dilemmas, identifying strengths
- Practice — concrete guidance and tips on how to convey your ideas
What can you expect? The coaching can take place with face-to-face meetings or via Skype, combined with email, over a single session or several depending on your needs. It can focus on a particular article or the process, anywhere from identifying ideas to pitching a piece to editors. It draws on life coaching techniques and extensive experience guiding authors to articulate their ideas effectively through op-eds.
Why do it? In short: impact and engagement. Science communication is a powerful path to impact — like any of us, policymakers are much more likely to read about new research in the media rather than a peer-reviewed paper. Writing articles in accessible language can help take your work beyond the world of academia to influence policy, expand your networks and raise awareness among the public. A SciDev.Net survey has estimated that about 70% of opinion articles commissioned in 2012 influenced policy or expanded authors’ networks.
Why me? Over the years I’ve helped dozens of authors conceptualise and develop their op-eds. Before making a career shift to communication I worked as a research scientist, so I understand concerns around accuracy. And I can help guide you through them to convey ideas in a way that balances detail with accessible language for a non-specialist audience.
I’m a registered mentor with the New York Academy of Sciences, and for more detail on my background see this outline of my experience or LinkedIn page.
Questions? Get in touch to find out more and discuss how I could support you.