Noctiluca Coaching is a life & leadership coaching practice founded by Dr Lois Calder in 2020.Working across all levels of research, business, and entrepreneurship, Lois created Noctiluca to complement her existing work as a Higher Education Consultant with over 30 years’ experience as a researcher, lecturer, HE senior leader and entrepreneur Through coaching and training, Lois can:• Create sustainable change and accelerate individuals towards success• Deliver deep self-learning, confidence and resilience • Reveal creativity, supporting clients to design intentional action and improve life purpose and quality• Grow leadership capability and confidence, particularly in women, and• Promote innovation and sustainability working towards climate change mitigation and a better world.Training with John Rea (johnreacoaching.com) and Bailey Balfour (baileybalfour.com) on an International Coach Federation (ICF) Assistant Accredited Coach path, all work is undertaken according to the ICF code of ethics (https://coachfederation.org/code-of-ethics). She is also currently Dean of the Marine Alliance for Science & Technology Scotland (MASTS) and Scottish Universities Partnership in Environmental Research (SUPER) Graduate Schools working with postgraduates and researchers across marine and environmental disciplines.

As Dean of Graduate School for the Natural Environment Research Council funded Scottish Universities partnership for Environmental Research (SUPER), I led a personal and professional development programme for postgraduate researchers, preparing them for leadership in a contemporary research, business and policy environment, which includes broad sector engagement and life-long development. I am defining and delivering innovative models for marine researcher development, addressing current academic, industry, and environmental needs, building future capacity.

Delivering consultancy in higher education, research and professional development, promoting the influence and impact of individuals, nurturing people and places. Expertise in marine sciences, socio-ecological systems, resilience, community development and marine environmental stewardship, I also have broad experience across the higher education sector.

Taking the reins as Dean of Graduate School fr the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (MASTS), I am responsible for postgraduate researcher personal and professional development of postgraduate and early career researchers, preparing them for diverse careers in various sectors, including academia, business, industry, policy and entrepreneurship. I also work to secure scholarships and funding, to support studentships hosted by the MASTS collaboration of HEIs and other partners in the UK, Europe and internationally.

Responsible for strategic leadership and operational delivery of SAMS educational portfolio, creating of partnerships (national and international), student recruitment and internationalisation, student experience, career transition, alumni relations, quality assurance and compliance, financial, resource and staff management. Developing activities to deliver wold-class marine research and education that supports stewardship of the marine environment and provides society with innovative solutions to develop a sustainable relationship with our coasts and seas.

Leadership of a pan-Scotland Graduate School involving 11 universities and other government and industry partners. Responsible for personal and professional development, support, mentoring and sector engagement opportunities for over 50 early career postgraduate researchers based at host universities across Scotland.

Designed and provided strategic leadership of a multi-disciplinary graduate school for the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), spanning 13 academic partners across the H&I. Defining excellence in postgraduate delivery and a professional development framework for postgraduate researchers across disciplines from Gaelic, theology and creative industries to health, marine and environmental sciences. Also Deputy Head of Education at Scottish Association for Marine Science supporting development and delivery of SAMS educational portfolio.