University Work
Hi, I’m Emer O’Leary.
For the past two years, I’ve worked within the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at the University of Edinburgh. My work has primarily been with researchers, lived experience advisory groups and the CMVM EDI Committee — curating and creating learning experiences that help people think together, reflect and collaborate.
This builds on my 20-year independent practice working with private and third sector clients.
Here are some examples of what I’ve developed, delivered and facilitated, alongside the different ways I work.
Projects
AMBER
AMBER is a Wellcome-funded, multidisciplinary mental health research study involving the University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, the University of Oxford and the University of Queensland.
As Training Consultant for the AMBER study, I designed and delivered a programme of PPIE learning and development. The work brought together researchers and lived-experience experts through workshops and facilitated conversations.
Highly Commended (Impact Enabler), University of Edinburgh Research Impact Prize 2026
Agency Within Uncertainty
Agency Within Uncertainty is a group coaching programme, designed as a space to step back from the day-to-day, reflect on what's happening, and explore how we can act with greater clarity and agency even when the wider picture is uncertain.
The programme was commissioned by the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh and attracts participants from across different roles, disciplines and levels of seniority.
Get in touch if you'd like to see the Agency Within Uncertainty brochure.
Student Community Building
Designing and delivering facilitation skills training and reflection sessions for students across CMVM, supporting them to build stronger student-led communities and create spaces for peer connection, reflection and collaboration.
The pilot builds on previous student-led initiatives developed through the Widening Participation Medics student society.
“I can recommend Emer so highly. She is a joy to work with, holds a room (even when it is full of potentially-intimidating professor-types) with warmth and confidence, she is totally reliable and always well-prepared, extremely fun, and very patient when it comes to the ways academics tend to work.
When we circulated Agency within Uncertainty it was incredibly well received and we had sign-ups from very senior leaders as well as across all role-types and grades.
I would also say one of the excellent things about Emer is her ability and willingness to work to a brief according to what YOU want from the sessions.”
Professor Sue Fletcher-Watson, College Dean of Equity, Inclusion & Community • Chair in Developmental Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
Ways I work
Training
I design and deliver training and development sessions across a wide range of topics, including:
Facilitation Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Assertive Advocacy
Self-Compassion
Visual Thinking
Meeting Openers & Closers
These can be delivered as short or longer programmes via Teams or in person.
Get in touch for session breakdowns.
Away Days
I love facilitating away days because they really give teams a chance to step away from the day to day and think together differently.
Depending on what a team needs, this might involve reflection, planning, creative thinking, relationship-building, problem-solving or strategic visioning.
My role is to create a space where people can contribute honestly, have useful conversations and leave with a clearer sense of their next steps.
Get in touch for examples of half day and day long sessions.
Reflective Practice
I facilitate reflective sessions and Action Learning Sets that help people learn from their experience, think through challenges and draw on the perspectives of others.
These sessions are structured but conversational, creating enough space for people to slow down, ask better questions and see situations from different angles.
I have a particular interest in relational design – the small but significant choices that help people feel welcomed, respected, connected and able to contribute.
Get in touch to find out more.
“Emer is a delight to work with! Her facilitation and learning design have been particularly valuable in bringing people together across our research project.
She has helped us to think collaboratively, to identify new opportunities for working together, and to consider how we can build on our diverse expertise.
She always creates a welcoming space where people feel comfortable contributing, while also providing sufficient structure and direction to make conversations productive.
Working with Emer makes me realise how much is missing from most meetings”
Professor Cathryn Lewis, Head of School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics in the Department of Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London
Signature Programmes
Over the years, I've developed and delivered signature programmes that help people build confidence, think creatively, collaborate and navigate change.
Secrets of Simple Graphics
Learn how to draw simple images to ignite creativity, communicate with impact and spark innovation.
Draw Out Your Future
Radical Honesty Reset
Thirty days of one-to-one coaching for people who know something needs to change, even if they can’t quite see the shape of it yet.
Agency within Uncertainty
A group coaching programme developed to help people navigate uncertainty, build agency and find practical, creative ways forward.
Interested in one of these programmes for your team or community? Get in touch
A group coaching programme using visual templates, reflective exercises and group conversation to draw out your future and map out the steps you need to take to get there.
Joy of Business
A mastermind programme designed to connect with what lights you up in your work and use it to ignite your goals and actions plans.
Illustration
I use illustration to make complex ideas, research and information more accessible, engaging and memorable. I've created illustrations for presentations, events, training and communications across the University.
Interested in using illustration to communicate your work? Get in touch.