The Dissertation ECoach: Supporting graduate students as they transition to dissertation writing

Abstract

Transitioning from coursework to dissertation writing presents unique challenges for graduate students. To support students in this phase of their careers, we created the Dissertation ECoach, a digital tool that provides automated and personalized support and guidance to address individual challenges and promote effective writing habits. By engaging with the Dissertation ECoach, students receive weekly surveys and tailored messages that encourage their writing process. This article discusses the development history, functionality, and methods of the Dissertation ECoach, as well as the results of its implementation at the University of Michigan for the period 2020–2023. Data show that a high percentage of students find the Dissertation ECoach experience helpful, to the point that a subset of students decide to enroll in the experience repeatedly. The article concludes by highlighting the potential of the Dissertation ECoach to be adopted by other universities, offering automated, customized support for graduate students across disciplines. The article also introduces updates that have been implemented in 2023/2024.