“Take away your opinion, and there is taken away the complaint.”
Founder and research lead
Gemma Gardner
British Army veteran, coach, author and speaker exploring what happens to identity when a defining role changes or ends.
From service to questions about identity
Gemma served for 15 years in the British Army with the Adjutant General’s Corps, Staff and Personnel Support, reaching Senior Non-Commissioned Officer level. Her work included personnel, training, mobilisation and organisational responsibilities, including service as a Phase 2 Training Instructor. She was medically discharged in 2014.
Her experience of leaving a highly structured military role became the starting point for a wider question: what happens to the person when a role that has shaped identity, belonging, structure and purpose changes or ends?
Research and AURIS
Gemma founded AURIS Institute and leads Identity After the Uniform, an ongoing research programme examining identity adaptation following military service and other defining occupational roles. She develops the AURIS Identity System around Awareness, Understanding, Regulation, Identity and Stability.
She originated Identity Performance Psychology as a developing, evidence-informed integrative model. It is not an established psychological discipline, and the effectiveness of the AURIS approach requires further evaluation. The work distinguishes established evidence, emerging findings and interpretation.
Explore the research programme and read the publications and their limitations.
Coaching and professional background
Gemma holds a TQUK Level 5 coaching qualification and is undertaking formal psychology study as part of a longer academic pathway. She does not hold herself out as a psychologist or clinician. Her applied work focuses on non-clinical coaching, identity, belonging, adaptation and professional development.
For employers, AURIS starts by understanding the problem through a free discovery conversation and, where appropriate, a paid organisational diagnostic. Any subsequent development is agreed separately from the findings.
Books, speaking and public engagement
Gemma writes about service, identity and transition, including the memoir Soldier Girl. Explore her published books.
She speaks on identity, occupational transition, leadership and belonging. Her 2026 public engagement includes the Veterans and Blue Light Suicide Prevention Conference and a listing in the MAD World Summit programme. Explore speaking with Gemma and Gareth Gardner.
The people behind AURIS
Gemma works alongside a small team bringing service, facilitation, business and technology experience. Meet Gareth, Benjamin and the AURIS team, or contact AURIS.