Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD, where we’re diving deep into the world of academia with Dr. Vikki Wright. Dr. Wright, the founder of The PhD Life Coach, joins David Mendes to share her journey from a full professorship at the University of Birmingham to becoming a life coach empowering PhD students and academics to thrive in their careers. In this episode, we’ll explore how she transitioned from a research-focused role to a teaching and coaching path, emphasizing the importance of finding fulfillment in academic spaces. Vikki shares her insights on developing transferable skills, managing stress, and being your own best boss in academia. Whether you’re struggling with negative self-talk, feeling overwhelmed with the demands of academic life, or simply looking for inspiration on how to navigate your academic career, this episode is packed with valuable advice and insights. Tune in to hear how Dr. Vikki Wright’s experiences and coaching philosophy can help you craft a more fulfilling academic journey.

Dr Vikki Wright is the founder of The PhD Life Coach, where she provides a group coaching programme for PhD students as well as one-to-one coaching and online courses. She was a full Professor at the University of Birmingham in the UK until 2022, specialising in both how stress affects health and how to develop transferable skills in PhD students. She hosts The PhD Life Coach podcast which helps PhD students and academics get less overwhelmed and enjoy their work.