This document summarizes a presentation given by Melissa Bradley, Nick Allen, and Rachel Birds on exploring the use of coaching in higher education. It discusses who the presenters are and their experience with coaching. It provides definitions of coaching and qualities of an effective coach. It also presents three case studies of how universities in the UK use coaching, including providing internal and external coaches for staff, running coaching programs, and establishing coaching networks. The presentation encourages attendees to consider how coaching could be further implemented at their own institutions.

1. Exploring the use of coaching
within higher education
Melissa Bradley – University of Kent
Nick Allen – The University of Northampton
Rachel Birds – University of Sheffield

2. So who are we? (1)So who are we? (1)
• Melissa Bradley
– Faculty Administration Manager, The University of
Kent
– Formerly Reading and Chester
– AUA Member since 2004, Board of Trustee since
2008 and Fellow (since April 2011)
– Currently undertaking coaching with an external
coach
– Act as a mentor for staff within the Faculty
– m.v.bradley@kent.ac.uk

3. So who are we? (2)So who are we? (2)
• Nick Allen
– Deputy Clerk, The University of Northampton
– Formerly OU and SHU
– AUA Member since 2002
– Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice
graduate (PgCert)
– Mentor and Deputy Chair of PgCert Board of
Studies (Chair from May)
– nick.allen@northampton.ac.uk

4. So who are we? (3)So who are we? (3)
• Rachel Birds
– Head of Biological Services, University of Sheffield
– Formerly Warwick and Northumbria
– AUA Member since 2001, Council/Board since
2008 and Fellow since 2009
– Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice
graduate (PgCert)
– Chair of Faculty Training and Development Group
– r.birds@shef.ac.uk

5. What is Coaching?What is Coaching?
• Talk to your colleagues (5 mins)…
• Burning questions:
– Use the post-it notes to record at least one
question per table that you’d like us to answer
(about coaching!)
– Display in themes on wall

6. Feedback

7. Coaching definitions?Coaching definitions?

8. Two Coaching definitionsTwo Coaching definitions
“Coaching is the art of facilitating the
performance, learning and development of
another” (Myles Downey, 2003)
“Coaching is a conversation, a dialogue,
whereby the coach and individual interact in a
dynamic exchange to achieve goals, enhance
performance and move the individual
forward” (Zeus and Skiffington, 2002)

9. Qualities of a coachQualities of a coach
• What do you think makes a good coach?
Being….
Patient?
Detached?
Supportive?
Interested?
Good listener?
Perceptive?
Being….
Aware?
Attentive?
Retentive?
Self-aware?
Having….
Credibility?
Authority?
Knowledge?

10. Workplace Coaching inWorkplace Coaching in
Higher Education?Higher Education?

11. How coaching is used?How coaching is used?
• Case Study 1 – University of Kent
– Provides external and internal coaches for staff
upon request
– Offering coaching taster sessions via the Academic
Division’s Leadership & Supporting Management,
Developing Leadership Programmes
– Focus upon linking coaching support as integral
part of in-house Development Programmes
– Developing coaching inventory for the University

12. How coaching is used?How coaching is used?
• Case Study 2 – The University of Northampton
– Uses internal and external coaches
– ILM Level 3 Award in Workplace Coaching
– ILM Level 3 Certificate for Professional Workplace
Coaches
– ‘Coaching Network’
• Internal and external speakers
• Opportunity to network and share effective practice

13. HowHow coaching is used?coaching is used?
• Case Study 3 – University of Sheffield
– Various mentoring programmes for staff
– Mentors introduced to aspects of coaching as part
of initial training
– Provides external and internal coaches for staff
upon request
– Dedicated careers coaching programmes for early
career researchers in medicine and science

14. Coaching in your institution…Coaching in your institution…
• Talk to your colleagues
– Do you use coaching in your institution? If so,
how?
– Based on the case studies and effective practice,
could your institution increase its engagement in
coaching as a management and development
tool?

15. Feedback

16. Organisational DevelopmentOrganisational Development
Special Interest GroupSpecial Interest Group
• Established in late 2010
• Open to all AUA members and non-members
with an interest or experience in
Organisational Development (particularly
coaching and mentoring)

17. Organisational DevelopmentOrganisational Development
Special Interest GroupSpecial Interest Group
• Aim to focus on providing resources and
opportunities to share knowledge and to
development enhance the understanding of
Organisational Development
• Contributing to the AUA’s Jubilee programme
at Regional Conferences
• Link with HEFCE’s ‘Improving Performance
through Wellbeing and Engagement’ project

18. What next?What next?
• Join the Special Interest Group – contact us!
• Consider coaching in your own institution

19. Have we answered yourHave we answered your
questions?questions?

20. Thank you for attendingThank you for attending
Please complete yourPlease complete your
feedback form.feedback form.