PhD coaching
I understand that PhD life can feel sometimes feel lonely, confusing and overwhelming. Having a little extra support and help from someone who’s firmly in your corner could make such a difference to your PhD experience.
I’d love to be that someone for you. I’ll support you in your PhD journey, so you can make solid, steady progress that you feel good about, while also enjoying rest, balance and pleasure in your research.
I currently offer three options, detailed below. Drop me an email here with “PHD ME!” and let’s start a conversation about coaching together.
Flexible Remote Support, £148
Ideal for on-the-go support when you need quick guidance or motivation without the commitment of fixed, long calls. Enjoy the freedom to reach out whenever you need an extra boost.
You’ll receive:
One month of coaching and support via voice/text messages on Voxer (Mon – Thurs)
Balanced Coaching, £222
Receive a blend of personalised one-on-one calls and regular messaging support to keep you on track. This option ensures you get focused attention and stay connected throughout the month.
You’ll receive one month of coaching including:
– 2 x 45-minute coaching calls (via Zoom)
– Daily messaging support on Voxer (Mon – Thurs)
Intensive Coaching, £388
Your best option for in-depth coaching, this package offers weekly deep-dive calls and ongoing messaging support for closer check-ins, focus, and accountability. Get the full support you need to make substantial progress in just one month!
You’ll receive one month of coaching including:
– 4 x 45-minute coaching calls (via Zoom)
– Voice/text messaging support on Voxer (Mon – Fri)
Your coach: Dr. Jamie Pei
Hello! I’m Dr Jamie Pei, PhD and life coach here to help you find so much more joy, clarity and ease in your #PhDlife.
I completed my own PhD in Women’s Studies (Social Sciences/Qualitative Social Research) from the University of York in 2021, and have been working with PhD students as a trainer/facilitator and coach since 2018. So I’m personally ‘close’ to the experience and know intimately what the PhD journey entails – both the challenges and the joys.
As a work/play coach, I support you not just with ‘doing’ the PhD itself, but with finding the most self-caring, confident, joyful, easeful ways of doing the work and balancing your academic life with your personal commitments, interests and relationships.
I’ll work with you to figure out how to make the PhD a happy part of your life, not your whole life!
Coaching with me
I focus on supporting PhD students with the surrounding elements of doing doctoral research – this includes, for instance:
– coaching on mindset, motivation and focus
– academic and personal confidence
– helping you to discover more comfortable ways of working that will be effective and productive for you
– creating more time and space for rest/play
– self-care and researcher wellbeing
– creating a better work-life balance
– looking after all the other parts of your life alongside the PhD
I take a ‘messy’ unconventional approach to all my coaching. This means that I don’t usually follow traditional, ‘structured’ training or advice that is more commonly found in the PhD world. Put it this way: I’m more interested in YOU and your personal growth, development, wellbeing, goals and success, than in how ‘perfectly’ you are fulfilling academic ideals or ticking boxes. I take a very holistic approach that considers everything that is going on in your life and that is important to you, beyond the PhD.
Please also note that I do not offer coaching on the technical, academic components of a PhD (what might be thought of as “how to do the PhD”). I strongly believe that the best and most qualified people to give you this specific guidance are your thesis advisors/committee or trainers/academics that are more familiar with your area of research. But if you’re looking for someone to coach and hold space for you on all the other elements that surround and support the PhD, I’m here for you!
An additional note on coaching:
Coaching is not the same as academic supervision and as a coach, I will not be formally or directly checking or editing your written work. Your supervisors will provide the best guidance and advice for your academic progress and thesis. My role as a coach is to support your overall PhD journey, and to help you find the best practices and methods for you to be successful in your PhD research and in other academic activities that you might do during your PhD – e.g. conferences, career development etc.
Please also note that I am not a trained mental health professional and will recommend that you seek professional support/therapy if I believe that you would benefit more from their services than from coaching with me.