Emma Smail is the Student Coaching Practice Lead for the Coaching lab and Student Wellbeing and Transition Advisor at Edinburgh Campus.

Emma joined Heriot-Watt in 2013 and has extensive experience across a range of roles within the further and higher education sector. She has a strong professional interest in coaching and coaching supervision, with a focus on creating spaces that encourage deep thinking, reflection, constructive challenge, and confidence building so individuals can reach their full potential.
Emma completed her Advanced Certificate in Coaching Practice accredited by the Association for Coaching in 2017 and is a member of the EMCC. She has recently achieved The OCM’s Supervision in Coaching and Mentoring Certificate, a 50-hour, bespoke course at Practitioner level, which holds the ESQA conferred by EMCC.

She leads the Student Coaching Service which offers the opportunity of coaching to our undergraduate, postgraduate and postgraduate researchers studying at Scottish campuses. Emma is also a member of the Heriot-Watt Coaching Team providing coaching and coaching supervision to staff across our global community.

In her role as Student Wellbeing and Transition Advisor Emma provides advice, guidance, and support to students from widening participation backgrounds and those who are at risk of leaving University. Emma is involved in the training and guidance of personal tutors/student advisors, development of induction programmes, delivery of the Get Ready for Success and Kick Start Your Success @HWU programmes and a range of initiatives which improve student retention and enhance the student experience.