BPS Coaching Psychology Conference: Integrating Research and practice, 8-9 June 2023, London
By Lizana Oberholzer
As well as developing researchers’ and practitioners’ work, the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Coaching Psychology Conference was a celebration of world-class researchers as well as developing researchers’ contribution to the field.
The hybrid event attracted 75 attendees who attended in person, and more than 120 attendees online.
On day one, Dr Natalie Lancer, chair of the BPS Division of Coaching Psychology (DoCP) shared her work on ‘me-search’, exploring what it means to integrate research into our own practice. Professor Jonathan Passmore explored how digital technologies are transforming coaching. Parallel session topics included trauma coaching, non-linear coaching models and their impact, strength-based coaching and measuring the impact of coaching using random controlled trial design.
Professor David Lane provided guidance on how to consume and produce research, while Tia Moin’s workshop explored coaching with an inclusive mindset, highlighting the importance of being ready for diversity in coaching.
Professor Sarah Corrie explored how formulation can be used in coaching and the importance of storytelling.
The new elected committee members announced at the division’s Annual General Meeting were chair elect: Lizana Oberholzer, honorary secretary: Paula Dixon, and committee members: Alison Cole, Dr Catherine Steele, Tia Moin, Nathalie Lerotic Pavlik, Dr Mary-Jane Budd and Natasha Vorassi.
The evening programme, sponsored by Henley Business School, Routledge, Oxford Brookes and HULT International Business School, celebrated researchers’ and practitioners’ work. The following presenters were awarded prizes for Best Paper: Heather Frost and Rebecca Jones – ‘Understanding ‘I’, ‘Me’, and ‘Myself’: Development of the Concept-of-Self (CoS) Scale and an examination of the relationship with free will and locus of control, and implications for coaching practice’, and Phoebe Simmons – ‘Coachees’ experiences of strengths-based coaching when identifying their strengths with the VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS).’
Ruth Copper-Dickson was awarded Best Early Careers Researcher Paper: ‘Exploring the Experiences of Coaches Working on the Edge of Trauma, Post- traumatic Growth Coaching’, and Marian Rosefield: Best Poster Presentation for ‘Lost the Bounce in Your Bungee? A grounded theory study into compassion fatigue and burnout in the coaching profession.’
Professor Divine Charura’s ‘How can coaching psychologists integrate research and applied critical understanding of structure, and function of the brain to enhance their practice?’ won Best Original Paper, while Sarah Brooks’s ‘Coaching as a Route to Voice?’ won Best Round Table Presentation.
Day two provided a rich kaleidoscope of learning, with speakers including Professor Erik de Haan whose meta-analysis reflected on research evidence regarding coaching effectiveness, and Dr Rebecca Jones’ paper exploring how we need to navigate the research into our practice, and how evidence-based coaches need to navigate the science. Parallel session themes included coaching for gender diversity, developing coaching cultures, efficacy and coaching, narrative therapy, and AI and its role in coaching. Dr Gordon Medlock and Professor Divine Charura made the case for targeting needed research to advance the fields of coaching and coaching education. Delegates also had the opportunity to engage with a world café discussion on research.
In the concluding keynote, Professor Stephen Palmer took us on a tour of how coaching psychology became an expanding professional discipline.
- Research and scholarship grants were launched at the conference. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/3PAcuii