Dissertation coaching, and academic coaching more generally, is a process in which an author hires a coach to help him or her achieve writing goals that are for some reason stymied. Most of the time, those goals are related to writing process, accountability (or lack thereof), or substantive challenges that manifest themselves in writing (like most organizational problems). For Faculty Services, click here. For Grad Student Services, keep reading.
NOW OFFERING ONLINE REGISTRATION!
Online registration for Winter 2021 starts 1 December!
Many people can benefit from working, even for a short while, with a dissertation or academic coach. Maybe you’re struggling to make a chapter’s organization work, or perhaps your lit review won’t come together, or perhaps you have no idea how to present your results. Maybe you’re working remotely from your program without easy access to peer or faculty support. Maybe you know what you want to say but writing issues impede communication with your reader. Maybe your writing’s fine, but the lack of accountability has left you making only a trickle of progress when your new job’s start date demands a flood. If you’re struggling with any part of your dissertation, then coaching might be the solution for you.
Most of my work with clients is centered around management strategies: time management, project management, writing management, self-management, and the like. I am not a committee member; I will talk substance with you only to the extent that you request it. That said, I've got an eclectic background and I'm widely read, so I often have interesting insights. But my goal is NOT to be a committee member - it's to help provide whatever guidance or skills you may be looking for.
In four years, I've had 20+ successful defenses; I expect another three or four in the spring. Previous student clients have come from the schools listed in the word cloud to the right.
To see what previous clients had to say about working with me, try reading some of the Testimonials.
If you're interested in coaching, please email meand tell me a little about why you're looking for coaching. We'll set up a (free) initial consult where we can discuss your situation in more depth and determine whether we're a good match to work together and under what terms. Keep reading below the signup block for a FAQ, including prices. Registration for Winter 2021 sessions for new clients will open on 1 December.
Academic coaching is primarily about providing you with the support that you need to get your dissertation or other writing project done. That might be goal-setting and accountability for some people; it might be feedback and writing support for others; it might be something totally different or a blend of both for others. Together we’ll work to identify the barriers you have to getting your project done, and we’ll craft a plan for working in stages to get past them. We’ll touch base regularly via videoconference to take stock of progress and update the plan. I’ll read chapters or sections that you send me and offer feedback to see if we’re actually solving the problem. Academic coaching does the same thing, but for a wider variety of kinds of things – books and articles and grant applications – and for faculty as well as graduate students.
Once we’ve agreed to work together – and that’s a mutual decision – we’ll sit down for an e-meeting where we discuss your progress, writing strategies, and goals. We’ll then outline a work plan for the semester to help you reach your goals and set up a schedule of regular progress check meetings. Your semester coaching fee gets you a weekly hourlong meeting where we touch base with your goals, discuss your progress, review any documents you’ve sent me, and make a plan for until the next meeting. For dissertation coaching, it also includes my providing detailed feedback on three documents (usually a chapter, market documents, grant application, or a similar project) each term, along with access to the usually monthly Boot Camp writing retreats.
I offer four main packages of graduate student services: two full-term packages and two short packages. The year has three four-month terms – fall (Sept-Dec), winter/spring (Jan-Apr), and summer (May-Aug). In some terms, depending on interest, I may offer small group coaching.
One-on-One Dissertation Coaching: $400
16 weeks of weekly meetings, including three document reviews with comments per term. Access to group dissertation support activities, including Boot Camps. Approximately 3 seats available for Winter 2020.
Problem Solver Package: $75
Two focused one-hour consultations, usually a couple weeks apart, preceded by a document review. Ideal for those struggling with a manuscript that’s been rejected or got conflicting revision recommendations, and those working on shorter projects like grant applications. It can be helpful for breaking through a logjam on a prospectus. It’s also a good way to try out coaching before committing to a full semester. Depending on the issue, we can substitute a third meeting for a document review. Problem Solver packages can happen at any time in the year or term.
Problem Solver Job Market Package: $75
Review of job market packet including cover letter, CV, teaching, diversity & research statements with written feedback; post-feedback consultation. Add job market paper/writing sample review for an additional $50. Add a virtual practice job talk with feedback for an additional $50.
It ensures that you give them a better product because you've had more feedback on writing, structure, and organization, and it helps you get things to them on an agreed timeline. They still have the final call over what to include, how to do the analysis, etc. I will provide suggestions, as any good reviewer would, where I see opportunities to improve the analysis or research design, but the final decision is up to you and your committee.
I have a PhD in political science from the University of Michigan and extensive training and experience in giving feedback on academic writing. Because of my background, I prefer to confine my clientele to political science, international relations, public policy or closely related social sciences; this has included sociology, information sciences, and public health. Humanities clients and EdD's will be considered with an approved prospectus on a case-by-case basis, but 'fit' between your needs and what I can provide is key. I don't want to shortchange you or give you second-class service.
Please note: My copyediting services are separate from coaching services. Coaching is a long-term relationship where we improve habits and work on writing fundamentals. It is not a mechanism to obtain proofreading or copyediting services for your dissertation. Dissertation copyediting is available by priot arrangement for $3 per double-spaced page. Email Leanne if you are interested in this service. ALLOW AT LEAST TWO WEEKS FOR TURNAROUND.
