Academic and Wellbeing Services supported by Ivy Thrive in the UK

Donna provides specialist academic and wellbeing support for doctoral and postgraduate researchers navigating the intellectual, emotional, and practical demands of academic life. She completed her PhD in Tourism Management (Ethics and Dark Tourism) in 2017 and currently works in higher education, teaching on courses that focus on leadership, wellbeing, and professional development with over 20 years of academic experience.

Alongside her academic specialisms, Donna has extensive experience supporting students through pastoral care, particularly during periods of stress, uncertainty, and transition. She is also a trainee psychotherapist, which informs the way she works with researchers. Her approach is psychologically informed, ethically grounded, and attentive to the emotional realities of academic work, while remaining firmly focused on supporting progress with research and writing.

Many researchers come to this work feeling stuck, overwhelmed, burned out, or unsure how to move forward. Support may involve clarifying research direction, rebuilding confidence with writing, managing deadlines, navigating supervisory relationships, or coping with the pressures and self-doubt that often accompany doctoral study. Donna’s work combines structured academic support with a calm, containing space to think and reflect. The aim is to help researchers move forward with clarity and confidence, complete their research successfully, and protect their wellbeing and sense of self in the process.