PhD/DBA Mentoring Discovery Form

PhD/DBA Mentoring Discovery Form

Share your background and PhD/DBA journey so we can make the most of our discovery call together.
So you're navigating the PhD journey...

You've come to the right place!

I'm Emmanuel Tsekleves, a Full Professor at Lancaster University with over 20 years of academic experience. I've supervised numerous PhDs/DBAs to completion, examined many more, and published over 130 peer-reviewed papers.

I work exclusively with a small number of working professionals pursuing PhDs/DBAs part-time. I understand you're juggling a full-time career, family responsibilities, and academic demands, because I've seen what it takes, and I know most supervisors don't understand the working professional context.

My mentoring provides:
- Expert feedback on your writing
- Accountability to keep you progressing
- Career positioning for your post-PhD/DBA goals
- Support with responsible AI use in research
- Strategic guidance to avoid costly mistakes
Before we schedule a discovery call, I'd like to learn more about you and your PhD/DBA journey. This helps me understand if I can genuinely help you, and ensures our time together is focused and valuable.

The better and fuller you answer these questions, the more likely we'll connect. I work with a very small number of mentees to ensure focused, personalised support. Thoughtful answers help me understand your situation and prepare to create real value in our conversation.
What's your name?*

First NameLast Name
What's your email address?*
example@example.com
What's your LinkedIn profile URL or website?*
How did you find me?*

LinkedIn postLinkedIn comment on someone else's postWebinar (Paper Pal or other)NewsletterReferral from another PhD studentGoogle searchOther
Why are you doing a PhD/DBA? What's the end game: personal, professional, or both? (I ask this because understanding your motivation helps me tailor my support. Is it personal fulfilment, career advancement, a pivot to academia, or something else?)*
Are you doing your PhD/DBA full-time or part-time?*

Full-time student (not working)Part-time student while working full-timePart-time student while working part-timeFull-time student but sponsored by employer
Tell me about your PhD/DBA: What's your topic, which university, and what stage are you at?*
How would you describe your supervisor situation? (Supportive? Too busy? Unresponsive? On strike? Don't have one yet?)*
What are you struggling with more than anything right now? (NOTE: I look at this question more carefully than anything else. This is how I decide whether I can be helpful and if we should spend time together. Be specific.)*
My mentoring ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per month depending on the level of support. This includes one-to-one sessions, document reviews with actionable feedback and example, email support, and strategic guidance. Everything is month-to-month. I need to earn the right to invoice you each month.

(NOTE: Your answer does not impact my interest in having a first conversation with you. Supporting working professionals through their PhD/DBA is part of my life's work, and I'll chat with anyone who answers the above questions thoughtfully. This just gives me a sense of where your head is at.)
If we want to work together, can you swing those fees?*

Yes!Possibly — I'd need to explore options (employer sponsorship, etc.)Sadly, no.
WHEW! You're finished.

I know this probably took a minute to fill out, and I'm honoured that you took the time to tell me about yourself and your PhD/DBA journey. I'll follow up within 72 hours to let you know next steps.

Thanks for your time!

Emmanuel Tsekleves
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