Want to master your PhD and power up your life?
I can help you to find the right strategies, techniques, and mindset to improve your academic confidence, meet your deadlines, and find more time for friends and family.
Have a question or want to work together?
Has this been your PhD experience so far?
> You’re exhausted at the end of each day, but don’t feel like you’re making much progress
> No matter how hard you work, you still feel like you’re not good enough or academic enough
> You have a good supervisor, but you’re not sure how to control the meeting agenda to get specific feedback or the help you need with strategic planning for your next steps
> You’re being kept up at night worrying what your future will look like once you have finished your PhD
> Wondering whether pursuing a PhD was a good use of your time, money and energy
> You constantly feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day
> You believe there’s no time left over for yourself, and struggle with feeling guilty if you have any sort of break
> Although you love your research, working through your PhD is a lonely and isolating experience
>Your family and friends are proud of you, but nobody really understands how hard and stressful the PhD journey can be
☝️ If that sounds like you, you might want to take the Wheel of PhD Life Assessment 👉
> Benchmark yourself against key PhD abilities
> Learn your strengths and weaknesses
> Receive tailored advice
> It’s FREE and only takes 5 minutes
Can you imagine and easier and better PhD life, where you feel motivated,
with more energy and focus while having more work done with less stress?
Together, we’ve got this!
Working together, we’ll put a stop to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. We’ll create the right study system for you. How? By using my S.M.A.R.T.P.h.D™ coaching framework, we will focus on:
S – Self-care
M – Mindset
A – Attainable Goals
R – Reflection
T – Time Management
P – Planning + Priorities
H – Habits + Routines
D – Drive
Each letter in the framework serves as a gear in your PhD system.
By focusing on one gear at a time and learning to manage them together, you’ll improve time management, boost productivity, and feel more confident—leading to a more enjoyable and fulfilling PhD journey.
With my support, you’ll finish your dissertation quicker, develop a system to supercharge your PhD life, and build valuable skills for your future career. Healthy study habits will ensure you create a more productive, sustainable life throughout your PhD and beyond.
I work with at most 5 students at a time, ensuring you receive focused, personalised support. Together, we’ll
> tackle writing structure,
> manage feedback,
> improve time management, and
> reduce stress
— all while getting ready you for supervisor meetings and presentations.
With my guidance, you’ll finish your PhD efficiently, without burning out or sacrificing your well-being.
Get in touch to secure your spot and transform your PhD journey!
Workshops for Universities & Institutions
With my background as a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator and certifications in Life and Academic Coaching, alongside my adherence to ICF ethical guidance, I design interactive and dynamic workshops that engage participants in hands-on problem-solving and team-building activities.
Whether you are looking to improve communication, enhance leadership skills, or foster innovation within your institution, these workshops are built around the SMARTPhD™ framework, helping participants develop practical tools for success.
The framework encourages holistic development in areas such as mindset, time management, and personal resilience, ensuring long-term growth and effectiveness.
Hello! I am Lucia, and I get it...
From Architect to Academic Coach
I am a certified life and academic coach. But before that, I worked in Argentina, London, Barcelona and Oxford as a qualified architect. I specialised in architectural history and industrial heritage through a Master’s and PhD. I was always a good student and saw my studies as essential to the kind of person I wanted to become.
Following my academic path, I lived in different countries and learned new languages. I was a foreigner and international student trying to find my place in the world. It was tough.
I thought I knew the struggles—until I became a mum in the middle of my PhD. Then I really understood how hard it is to balance a career and family life. But I wasn’t alone.
I still remember, at the start of my PhD, a student finishing his dissertation told me: “I can tell you’re just starting because your eyes are still shining.”
I laughed but later understood what he meant.
My eyes may not have shone every day, but I finished my PhD and stayed passionate about my subject to the end. In 2020, while tutoring at the University of Edinburgh, I realised it wasn’t just about delivering content, but about helping students structure their ideas, stay focused, and maintain motivation and balance.
That’s when I combined my academic experience and personal insight to become a life and academic coach—helping students with the tools, strategies and support to make the most of their academic lives and keep their eyes shining.
The SMARTPhD™ system
When I began coaching PhD students, I quickly realised how similar their struggles were to my own—especially around productivity, confidence, and time management.
It made me reflect on the moments I had made real progress during my PhD.
What made the difference?
Prioritising self-care, adopting a healthier mindset, setting attainable goals, and making time to reflect. I learned to manage my time more effectively, focus on what truly mattered, and build habits and routines that supported my motivation and drive.
That’s how the SMARTPhD™ system was born—a practical and holistic framework that brings together these eight key areas: Self-care, Mindset, Attainable Goals, Reflection, Time Management, Planning + Priorities, Habits + Routines, and Drive.
It’s designed to help PhD students create clarity, stay balanced, and move forward with purpose. If you're ready to find your focus, protect your energy, and thrive in your academic life—get in touch.
Kind words from clients
J. L.
PhD Candidate, UK
*****
“Before working with Lucia,
I was struggling with motivation
and had massive productivity blocks.
Many of Lucia’s experiences mirror my own, which makes it easy to relate to her.
Lucia genuinely cares about the wellbeing of her clients, often providing additional support when she knows we are struggling with something. “
S. R.
Masters Student, UK
*****
" I needed to start writing but was experiencing self-doubt. (...)
With Lucia’s help my confidence grew.
She understood my situation, and I really valued her accompanying me on my dissertation writing journey.
Her help proved invaluable, and I have just met my deadline two days early."
M. M.
PhD Candidate, Australia
*****
“Lucia is someone I can brainstorm with.
I really appreciate her warm, caring, and supportive demeanour.
I look forward to my sessions each week as I know I will walk away with a plan of attack. I've come to really enjoy my PhD again.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lucia to other PhD students."
Latest Accreditations
