Academic writing and research support in social sciences/humanities for undergraduates, postgraduates and early career academics

From 72 £ /h

I am a former University Senior Lecturer with over 20 years experience in teaching and research. I am passionate about inspiring individuals to aim high. I have assisted multiple students and early career academics to achieve their goals. I worked in research and teaching roles within UK universities between 2004 and 2024 and am an Advance HE Fellow. I am the author of four books, have published in a range of international peer reviewed journals and have chapters in various other books. I also have significant experience in peer-reviewing for academic journals.

After a twenty-year career in UK higher education I decided to embark on my own freelance private tutoring and academic consultancy business. I have delivered bespoke 1:1 tutorials to university students since April 2023. I was a part-time private tutor from April 2023 to June 2024 and have been full-time since then working with various tutoring agencies. I teach social sciences, qualitative research methods, study skills and academic writing and I have assisted students from undergraduate to PhD level. I have also assisted early career researchers or those new to teaching at the higher education level.

I believe that students learn best when they construct knowledge for themselves rather than passively take it in, so all my classes are student-centred and aim to help you become an independent learner by improving your skills so that you can perform better in your assessments. I offer online lessons. A typical online lesson is 1-2 hours. I can also read, review and provide detailed feedback on your work if required.

Extra information

I conduct lessons online via Zoom.

Location

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

During my time working as an academic for over 20 years I have gained valuable skills and experience that enabled me to start my own freelance private tutoring, research and higher education consultancy business 'Gibbons Academic' in 2023.

During my PhD studies, at the age of 27, I made the decision to become a Christian. No one was more surprised than me at this decision but it completely changed my life for the better. My faith now underpins all that I do and I believe it motivates me to want to help others, including the students I teach.

I am happily married to an amazing wife and we have four beautiful children.

I used to be a distance running coach and have competed in multiple distance running events, including three marathons. I enjoy playing football (soccer) and basketball and used to play both competitively.

Education

8th February 2013. PhD (Teesside University, UK) Thesis Title: The relationship between English national habitus and football fandom.

26th September 2007. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

27th October 2006. Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (University of Lancaster, St Martin’s College, UK).

5th February 2004. MA Sociology of Sport - Higher Pass (University of Leicester, UK).

19th June 2002. BA (Hons) Sports Studies - First Class (De Montfort University, UK).

Experience / Qualifications

I have taught social sciences, sport & exercise and health-related science students in sociology and history of sport-related modules as well as research methods (especially qualitative), study skills, academic writing, proposal and dissertation modules. I have supervised PhD students to completion and have acted as a university mentor providing academic research support to early career and postdoctoral students. I have experience of designing, marking, and providing feedback on a range of assessments, including exams, essays, reports, proposals, presentations, and dissertations, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Age

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Sociology

Presentation skills

Essay writing

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Justin

4.88

(64)

I am a native American English speaking instructor, editor, and journalist from Florida specializing in editing, the drafting of articles, text correction, and proofreading for a wide range of professionals & students across Belgium and Europe.

I have written, ghostwritten, edited, or proofread a variety of articles, academic papers, theses, applications, CVs, and other documents for numerous satisfied academic and professional clients. My main background is primarily political/policy based, with a career writing on Anti-Competition actions and law (for PaRR-Global), but in my career and profession I have dealt with a far-range of subject matters including the Medical, Academic, Financial, Scientific, and Political fields.

My past & present clients have included: professionals from all four major EU institutions, the Belgian government, the UNHCR various NGOs, authors, novelists, journalists, engineers, as well as a variety of other professions in addition to traditional students.

Feel free to send me a message and I'd be happy to give you an informal consultation regarding your publication.

Cami

4.88

(64)

Private lessons / intensive Latin dance training (Cuban salsa, porto / LA salsa, bachata, merengue, chacha, zouk antillais, African kuduru-dance, Brazilian zouk *)

(* = it's THE dance of the moment that paradoxically has nothing zouk or anything Brazilian - today it's pop music for two, mixing creativity, sensuality, air fluidity that plays a lot with the movements of bust, head and body undulations.)

METHODOLOGY
Learn dance and let talk about your body / emotions, make the difference in the evening ("social dancing") or prepare an event (wedding for example): Focused on pedagogy, technique and pleasure, the dance space offers personalized and individualized courses of Salsa (porto on 1, Cuban), Bachata, Merengue, Kuduru-African dance, Zouk Antillais, Zouk Brazilian (pop music) (...) according to your desires.

Objective: to adapt to your request and your desire. In the eyes of many neophytes, a couple who dance well performs spectacular figures. To dance is to tell / live together a story, to produce beauty in movement and to make the steps, the attitudes and the connections between the various actions aesthetic / harmonious. This fluidity is born of emotion, felt and transmitted.

Simplicity, communication, listening, sharing, emotion, valorization of the other: it is, in addition to technical knowledge (body expression, rhythmic, visual), what you will improve during this training at evolutive levels. In a friendly atmosphere, you will be taken in hand whatever your initial level. Objective: a combination between on the one hand, intuition / feeling / improvisation and on the other hand, technique. It is possible to take the course in couple or solo.

According to your desire, it is possible to propose 70% of a 1st dance, 30% of another complementary dance, the bases of the one influencing the other.

Whether you are preparing a "choreography" for a special event (wedding, birthday, work, etc.), a show or simply looking to improve your skills to impress on the dance floor, the final learning of these courses consists in :

* perform a beautiful interpretation of the music with appropriate movements, in addition to performing a dynamic work that involves a footwork and body movements adapted

* execute an appropriate technique that will allow you to shine quickly on the dance floor, relying on the strong point of private lessons

* Set up style, movement, footwork, and adjusted body coordination, allowing for rapid dance progression, while taking advanced base steps and a variety of movements, allowing you to not only acquire a sensual style but also to improve his own improvisational abilities, focusing on the characteristics of modern dance.

* work on your balance, your musicality, your body strength (...), while having fun, while you train and radically improve the coordination of your body.

In summary, these courses are at the beginner level (basic steps with some general variations), intermediate (faster speed and more concentration on technique, body mechanics, control, footwork, posture, balance and more complex movements) or advanced (for slightly more experienced dancers).

Statistically, the progression following these private sessions is quickly noticeable, from 2 or 3 sessions *. (* study 2020)

To respond to requests received, it is indeed possible to offer this course (birthday, party, christmas, event ...) to the person of your choice.

TEACHER / TRAINER
In Europe, Latin America or North America, our teacher has specialized and worked for more than 17 years in the field of dance, in renowned international institutions, with for words the individualized pedagogy, and the careful methodology , all anchored in a pleasant and jovial moment.

LOCATION, SCHEDULE
- Locations: Geneva - Lausanne - Friborg - Neuchâtel - Montreux - Basel - Sion - Sierre - Morges - Bienne. But currently and until further notice, only by videoconference in accordance with national recommendations on Covid. These sessions also seem to be perfectly unanimous since they have the advantages of live (example: quality of the interaction), without its disadvantages (example: loss of travel time) with additional advantages (example: notes that can be re-read on the chat). In this context, the videoconference sessions for which you asked me to seem to suit everyone perfectly, take place very optimally and generate a certain enthusiasm (and a certain enthusiasm). That is why, at your request, I continue to offer this option. Take good care of yourself and yours!

PROGRAM
A la carte program: evaluated and adapted to each need.

Natalia

4.88

(64)

Whether you are struggling with your structure, your language or the cohesion of your academic piece, I am happy to help you as a sounding board, partner and guide.

My experience in academic writing spans 5 different academic pieces of writing across 3 degrees and several journal articles, with my LLM paper nominated for an award.

I am aware of all the pitfalls one can encounter in this really challenging process and am therefore transparent with regards to not only the quality of the paper but also your work ethic in order that you can then obtain the best piece of work possible.

Pelin

4.88

(64)

Hello :) I am an ESL instructor with a BA in American Culture&literature and Teaching English and conducting one-to-one lessons. Currently, I am studying for a master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Tesol, U.K.My specializations are Business English and exam preparations for Toefl, IELTS, Toeic, Cambridge Advanced and Online Teaching. During my lessons, I utilize coursebooks targeted for these exams and provide additional resources for the students if needed. Additionally, I help university students, business people and ex-pats reinforce their English in presentations, essays and conversations.

I am proud to say that the students who I prepared for Toefl and Ielts tests have gotten the required scores for these tests and are obtaining their master's degrees at the University of Leiden and Tu Eindhoven.

Jorge

4.88

(64)

Academic writing is a constant necessity for students and professionals, in this class it tends to be possible to recognize correction strategies, quotation methods and other important elements to recognize various types of text messages in accordance with your communication proposal. Be a professional in Literary Studies, and Mg, in Education with extensive experience in academic writing.

Awni

4.88

(64)

French DELF & TCF Exam Preparation | Get Certified with Confidence

Are you preparing for the DELF or TCF French exam for studies, work, or immigration?
I offer professional, results-focused preparation to help you reach your target score with confidence.

🎯 What you will get:
✔ Preparation for DELF A1–C1 and TCF (all formats)
✔ Full training in the 4 official skills:

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking
✔ Mock exams with detailed feedback based on official criteria
✔ Exam strategies, time management & common pitfalls
✔ Vocabulary and grammar targeted to your exam level

👨‍🏫 About me:

Experienced French language instructor

Specialized in DELF & TCF exam preparation

Proven methods adapted to your level and goals

Clear explanations and confidence-building speaking practice

💻 Lesson format:
📍 Online
⏱ Flexible schedule
🌍 International students welcome

📩 Book your first lesson on Apprentus today and take the next step toward French certification!

Camille

4.88

(64)

Do you want to master your vocal presence and captivate your audience from the first words? Do you feel the need to speak confidently and without fatigue, whether during presentations or in social interactions? Give yourself the opportunity to develop your vocal potential with tailor-made coaching.

This personalized support will allow you to learn to unleash the full potential of your voice and to feel comfortable when speaking in public. My holistic approach integrates not only vocal development, but also posture, gaze and body expression, and numerous presentation techniques (...) because effective communication goes beyond words.

The modules and exercises are carefully designed to meet your specific needs, taking into account your goals and comfort level. By working on breathing techniques, vocal placement, diction and rhythm control, you will be able to reveal a sonorous and captivating voice, while overcoming stage fright and strengthening your natural charisma.

My approach also integrates vocal rehabilitation techniques, in order to prevent vocal tension and fatigue. By mastering silences and refining your nonverbal communication, you will learn to fully master the art of oratorical expression, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

If you want to give your voice the power to convince, seduce and inspire, contact me today to find out how I can help you achieve your communication and public speaking goals.

Program :
- vocal techniques, practical exercises (examples: exercises focusing on accuracy, sound production, time, note maintenance, diction, vowels, etc.)
- work on breathing and breathing management
- body awareness
- stability
- resonance
- improvisation / free expression
- improved vocal comfort
- varied repertoire (adapting to your preference)
- well-being by the vibration of the voice
- improvisation, effects and vocal games, harmonies
-interpretation: work on emotions, body language, stage presence.

The work is focused on multidisciplinarity: voice, vocal health and bodily expressiveness, emphasizing the acquisition of optimal vocal placement, and stress management in public.

This progressive and tailor-made method aims to develop your voice:
-Breathing techniques
-Vocalises and technical exercises adapted to needs;
-dynamic exploration, diversification and release of one's voice while having fun and going beyond one's limits.

THE TEACHER :

Trained at the Grande Ecole post-preparatory classes & Ivy League University in the United States, our teacher trainer has specialized and worked for more than 17 years, in Europe and North America, in the field, in renowned international public and private establishments, regularly participating in forums and conferences, and also offering personalized INDIVIDUAL support, with pedagogy and meticulous methodology as the watchwords.

➤ LOCATION, TIMETABLE

✓ Locations: Geneva-Lausanne. But currently, these sessions continue to be offered by videoconference in the current context and in accordance with general demand which is almost unanimous on this subject.

✓ Indeed, apart from the classic advantages of videoconferencing (time saving related to travel & their unforeseen events, eco-responsibility, increased schedule flexibility, etc.), the quality of the session & the interaction remain identical. In addition, the entire exchange, notes and recommendations are immediately transcribed on the dedicated chat.

✓ To support us among ourselves & to be pleasant to you in this sustainable / particular period and in a spirit of solidarity, the fees are temporarily reduced and will not increase after the start of our sessions.

✓ Languages: French/English.

✓ The progress following these private sessions is perceptible from 1 to 2 sessions (*2024 study).

✓ As other people do regularly, you can also please your loved ones by offering gift vouchers available all year round.

CONTACT / PROGRAM

✓ A la carte program: evaluated and adapted to each need.

Dr.Ibrahim

4.88

(64)

This course provides students with a foundational understanding of research principles, methodologies, and practices across various disciplines. Students will explore both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking, formulating research questions, conducting literature reviews, evaluating sources, and applying ethical standards in research. Throughout the course, students will design and carry out independent or group research projects, culminating in a formal research paper or presentation. This course prepares students for academic inquiry, higher-level research, and evidence-based decision-making in real-world contexts.

Arezou

4.88

(64)

Want to speak and write English with confidence?
I offer personalized online lessons in both General and Business English, focused on helping you communicate clearly and naturally in real-life situations. Whether you need fluency for work, study, or travel, my classes combine conversation practice, vocabulary building, and practical grammar.

With several years of online teaching experience, I create a supportive and professional environment that helps you progress quickly and enjoy the learning journey.

Paul

4.88

(64)

Do you need to improve your English so that you can participate fluently and confidently in business meetings, presentations, webinars, telephone conversations or interviews? You may be aiming for a job in the EU institutions or other organisations in Brussels. Or you could be working in an international company or studying for a Masters or another qualification...

I have been a qualified, professional English teacher and translator for more than 20 years. My courses enable learners to actively produce the language, repeat useful expressions until they are habitual and correct mistakes until they are removed. Although I am happy to explain and practice grammatical issues, the focus is on effective, correct and appropriate communication by using visual material, videos, interesting topics for discussion and challenging quizzes. As I have advanced knowledge of French, German and Czech, I can particularly appreciate and correct the issues speakers of these languages have in English, but this is also the case for Dutch speakers.

There is also the possibility of specialist English courses in the areas linked to my experience (see below): how the EU works; environmental, energy, regional or agricultural policies; economics.

- Advisor in EU policies and funding for 12 years (regional policy, economic development)
- Director of a regional representation to the EU and member of a management team
- Certificate in TESOL with business
- BA(Honours) in Modern Languages & Modern History, Oxford University
- Post-graduate in Economics, London University

Daniel

4.88

(64)

Do you struggle with exams and academic writing?

I help university students prepare for exams and essays or dissertations by helping them develop and apply academic reading, writing, and speaking skills. My goal is to engage you in reading, writing, and speaking activities and to provide feedback to help you improve your organisation, source use, vocabulary, and more.

Get in touch to find out how I can help you!

Leila

4.88

(64)

I provide strategic university admissions counseling for applicants to the USA, UK, Europe, Turkey, Asian countries, and Australia. I support students at all levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, research programs, and visiting scholar applications.

My students have successfully gained admission to top universities including Harvard, Columbia, and other highly competitive institutions worldwide.

Our work together includes:
– university and program selection aligned with academic profile and career goals
– application strategy and timeline planning
– CV and academic profile development
– motivation letters, statements of purpose, and research proposals
– scholarship and funding strategy
– interview preparation and communication skills

I work with high-school students, university students, and adult applicants. Sessions are structured, personalized, and results-oriented, with clear guidance at every step of the process.

Counseling is offered in English, Turkish, Russian, and Azerbaijani. Online sessions via webcam.

Lina

4.88

(64)

As a student at Duke Kunshan University, I provide more than just a language lesson—I provide a global perspective. My classes are personalized for two specific goals:

1. For Children & Teens: Fun, immersive sessions using games and storytelling to build confidence and native-like pronunciation. 2. For University Students/Adults: Mastering 'Academic English' for essays or 'Fluent Spanish' for travel and business.

I focus on the 'Pain Points' of learning: breaking down complex grammar into simple steps and focusing on Speaking from Day 1. My method is interactive, logical, and designed for fast progress

Ghader

4.88

(64)

Advanced Academic & Analytical Essay Writing is designed for students, researchers, and professionals who need to write clear, structured, and persuasive essays in English. Whether you’re preparing for university assignments, admissions applications, standardized exams, or professional publications, this course will help you master the techniques needed to write with confidence, clarity, and impact.

You will learn how to:

Develop strong thesis statements and logical essay structures

Use critical analysis and evidence to support arguments

Improve coherence, cohesion, and academic style

Avoid common grammatical and stylistic errors

Revise and edit your work to meet high academic and professional standards

Drawing on my experience as a CELTA-certified teacher, IELTS specialist, and contributor to academic publications such as the Longman Communication 3000 and Longman 570 Academic Words, I provide personalized feedback and practical strategies tailored to your writing goals.

Michelle

4.88

(64)

Students will receive personalized support with essays, research papers, school reports, and college application writing. With over a decade of teaching experience, I help students strengthen structure, clarity, and critical thinking while developing their own voice. Sessions are tailored to each student’s needs—whether they’re building foundational skills, refining drafts, or preparing high-stakes assignments—always with a supportive, confidence-building approach.