Exploring the lived experience of mature Ph.D. students receiving one-to-one coaching sessions during their Ph.D. journey

This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study examines the lived experience of mature Ph.D. students engaging in one-to-one coaching sessions. Four participants at Danish universities in the last 18 months of their Ph.D. journey received a minimum of five individual coaching sessions provided by the same coach. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed the emergence of three themes: Effectiveness and resourcefulness in the Ph.D. process; Self-awareness and self-reflection; and Feeling supported. There were six sub-themes: Ph.D. process understanding; New perspectives; Emotional consciousness; Self-confidence; Being listened to and receiving empathy; and The complementary support of the coach and the academic supervisor. Participants reported that (1) coaching sessions were a positive experience, (2) they benefitted from the coaching and (3) coaching prompted new reflections for both the present and future. The study provides insight for coaches working in Higher Education in general and with Ph.D. students in particular.