Christian van Nieuwerburgh

Christian van Nieuwerburgh (born 1971) is a British-based executive coach, academic, consultant and author. He is a Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at the University of East London (UEL) and Executive Director of Growth Coaching International, a Sydney-based global coach training provider for the education sector.

As an author, van Nieuwerburgh is best known for An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide, now in its third edition (2021). He has written or edited a number of key texts in his field: Coaching in Education: Getting Better Results for Students, Educators and Parents (2012), Coaching in Professional Contexts (2014), Coaching Educativo (with Andrea Giraldez Hayes, 2016), Coaching in Islamic Culture: The Principles and Practice of Ershad (with Raja'a Allaho, 2017), The Leader's Guide to Coaching in Schools (with John Campbell, 2018) and Advanced Coaching Practice (with David Love, 2019).

Biography Christian van Nieuwerburgh was born to a Japanese mother and a Belgian father in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1971, thereafter spending his formative years there.

While living in Beirut, van Nieuwerburgh attended the American Community School and later completed a BA and MA in English literature at the American University of Beirut. At the time of his studies, he worked as an English Literature teacher at both secondary school and university level, took up jobs in journalism and translating and supported the family's Japanese restaurant business. Later on, he moved on to work in the sales and marketing industry.

In 2012, he completed an MSc in psychology at the University of East London. He took up the role of executive coach for the West Midlands Councils in September 2008, holding the role until for six years until 2014. He returned to the University of East London Stratford Campus as a Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology in April 2017. He has been holding the roles of Director of Research at Growth Coaching International and managing director of Growth Coaching UK since June 2014. ”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, van Nieuwerburgh argued that the theories and research of positive psychology could be deployed to support people through the challenges that they faced. He wrote about hope, optimism and the importance of protecting people's psychological wellbeing during lockdowns.

Coaching in education Van Nieuwerburgh has explored the purpose of coaching in education, its transformational effects on educational experiences and how it can be applied in schools and in higher education. Van Nieuwerburgh has suggested that coaching supports the notion that learning should be personalised and encourage both the student and the teacher to develop throughout the learning experience. For students, opportunities for coaching include collaborating with fellow students to improve grades and skills, both academic and social. For teachers and administrators, coaching can help with transitions into new roles. Coaching is also used to support improvement in teaching skills and enhance performance in education institutions.

In 2010-2011, van Nieurwerburgh, together with colleagues from the University of Kent and University of East London, carried out a pilot project at the Sittingbourne Community College, where half of the 1,000 students were deemed to experience barriers to learning for various reasons. Van Nieuwerburgh et al. aimed to raise attainment by delivering coaching training to students over sixteen years old, supported their "interim reflective practice coaching sessions" and assisted in evaluating the project.

Personal life Van Nieuwerburgh is married and has one son.