Emeritus Professor Irvine Gersch BA (Hons)

PGCE DipEdPsych Phd CPsychol PDipCoaching FHEA FBPsS HCPCReg.

Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh

Christian is a thought-leader and practitioner in the fields of coaching and positive psychology. He is the Executive Director of Growth Coaching International, a leading global provider of coach training in the education sector, and Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at the University of East London (UK). He regularly speaks at conferences, consults and delivers training in the UK, Australia, the Middle East and the US. He holds a number of visiting academic roles with universities in the UK, Europe and Australia. Christian is a well-published author with a number of articles in peerreviewed journals and some key coaching texts including An Introduction to Coaching Skills (Sage, 2020), Coaching in Education (Karnac, 2012) and Coaching in Professional Contexts (Sage, 2016).

Emma Gersch

Emma is a Theatre Practitioner, Theatre Director and actor trainer, Coach and Mediator. She currently uses the PLC to coach individuals making crucial life decisions, or navigate through challenging times. She has also run training in using this coaching model. Emma is also founder of Emma Gersch Training Ltd which creates bespoke role-play based training for a range of business sectors. Emma has facilitated interpersonal skills training for clients including Psychologists, Social Workers, GPs, Paramedics, Mediators and Lawyers. She works with the NHS, British Red Cross and Corporate clients. Emma was Senior Lecturer in Drama at Bath Spa University, and is currently visiting lecturer and director at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Emma specialises in modern stagings of Shakespeare, and participatory storytelling theatre and is a member of the Higher Education Faculty at Shakespeare’s Globe. Emma is a qualified mediator and is Head of Coaching and Training at Global Mediation.

Dr Anna Lipscomb

Anna is a Senior Educational Psychologist currently working for Bristol City Council. She has been working with Professor Irvine Gersch on the development of the Little Box of Big Questions project for the last 10 years. Particular interests include working with children as researchers, supervision, action research, working with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, parenting work and working with schools to develop their systems and inclusive support structures.