A bit about me
Your Doctoral Mentor
Helping you to complete your thesis – without the stress
Sometimes, you’ve just gotta ask the awkward questions. Sing loudly in public. Eat chocolate walking along the street.
Do what you do. Join me … in being your own person.
On that basis, I was never going to be a ‘natural’ academic. School pretty much wrote me off as ‘middle of the class’ and ‘not Oxbridge material’. Well, that much is true! Not that there’s anything wrong with going to Oxbridge at all 😉
I’ve definitely done it the hard way, but I did get all the way through the system. The lessons I’ve learned along the way mean that I can help you avoid (or get through, if you’re already there!) the sticky bits of the journey to your doctorate.
Sharing and supporting people is underrated in the world of academia. I’m on a mission to change that.
Hello! I’m Gina …
Dr Gina Mentoring has come from my professional journey. Now I’ve had more than 20 years of teaching and supervising Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral students, all that practice, learning and understanding is distilled into the support you’re about to experience.
My journey to PhD was long, hard and very frustrating. It was only when a good friend and colleague ripped my first draft up in front of me (true story) that I started to learn what I needed to know to finish the thing.
There are always lessons wrapped up in things we do, and a doctorate is an intensive way to learn many life lessons. My goal is to help you learn your own doctoral life lessons less painfully than I learned mine.
- Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy
- Chartered Business Management Educator
- PgC Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
- PhD Volunteer Management, University of Sheffield 2017
- MA Human Resource Management, Coventry University 2004
- BA (Hons) Business Administration, Coventry University 1999
Some fun facts about me:
- I love building relationships, swimming, horse riding, walking my dog and drinking good wine.
- I get cold reeaally quickly, so you’ll often see me wearing lots of coats – or at least a fleece (even mid-summer). I love open fires (bit of a no brainer, given the cold thing, really!) and my insulated boots are my best winter friend.
- Being with horses and dogs lights me up and makes me more human.
- I’ve got two little people in my life, and a big husband-person, so it’s all pretty crazy at times and I’m good at time – and priority – management!
- I’ve worked in a variety of industries, from banking to education and tractor manufacturing. I once stripped down and rebuilt a tractor gearbox faster than the guys who did it for a living. And I can build a straight brick wall.
Doing a doctorate is tough. It takes perseverance, intelligence and hard work. But I don’t believe it has to be confidence-draining or sanity-threatening.
Jump in – let’s make the trip easier for you!
My Approach
In spite of what school said about me, I am an academic. So you may recognise a common style.
That said, my values run deep and fundamentally I live to encourage and support people. So working with me will be a combination of challenge, rigorous questions and encouragement. Maybe I’ll let Inka tell you:
My Values & Beliefs
Inclusivity
I believe we are all unique individuals with God-given talents and abilities. Each of us is special and loved by God and there should be nothing to prevent any of us doing the things we want to do (as long as they’re legal and moral). In my work, I see no colour, creed, orientation, (dis)ability or other differentiator.
Integrity
I’m honest, open and transparent. I expect you to be too.
Indomitable Spirit
This one is borrowed from my martial arts days.
I believe in never giving up. You may decide to change direction, but if you’re set on something, you do what it’s going to take to get where you want to go. No haste, no delay.
