Prof. Fiona Gillison Professor of Health Pyschology
Member of the University of Bath internal coaching network.
Role
Fiona qualified as a coach in 2014, after experiencing the benefits of coaching herself. When she accepted a new role, she found coaching really enhanced her confidence and provided focus on her own career development. Being a member of the internal coaching network has given Fiona the opportunity to extend her coaching experience, she has worked with staff from most areas of the University, particularly those working in professional services. She enjoys her coaching role as she finds herself always learning something from the challenges others are dealing with, and the chance to step back from her day to day role, shift perspective and connect with others on the issues they bring.
Research
Particular areas of interest in relation to coaching:
- leadership and communication
- motivation and changing behaviour _ finding direction or starting a new role
- finding acceptable ways to be assertive
- delegation and letting go of control
Career
Fiona's role at the University involves research, teaching and management and leadership. Having been at the University for many years, taking on many roles from Admissions Tutor through to Head of Department, she has a good understanding of many aspects of what goes on in the University. Fiona is currently working with a number of external health-related organisations to try to expand our research collaborations from across the University, as well as co-leading the Healthy Later Living network. She teaches primarily on the BSc Sport & Exercise Science and Health & Exercise Science programmes.
Fiona is a Health Psychologist with a focus on the science of behaviour change. Before coming to Bath to do a PhD she worked in the NHS running stop smoking clinics and weight management clinics. She has since focused her research and teaching on promoting physical activity and a healthy diet. Her research looks at how best to support people to make changes, whether through providing individual support or making larger scale changes to the environments that make it hard to stay healthy.
Fiona first gained a Level 5 ILM coaching qualification through the University coaching network in 2014. She took time out from the coaching network 2018-2022, but continued to use coaching techniques informally with the students and staff she supported and line managed as a Head of Department.
Education
Fiona first gained a Level 5 ILM coaching qualification through the University coaching network in 2014, and worked regularly with coachees from across job families until she stopped due to a change in her job role in 2018. She continued to use coaching techniques informally with the students and staff she supported and line managed as a Head of Department. Fiona returned to the coaching network in autumn 2022, following refresher training and re-engaging with regular CPD and supervision activities.
- ILM Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring
- Completed British Psychological Society accredited CPD training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and CBT, and training in Motivational Interviewing through an accredited trainer from the Institute of Motivational Interviewing (IMI) through her professional development activity as a Health Psychologist
- Regular CPD sessions with Sharon Charlton-Thomson, Leadership Coaching