In this episode we are joined by Pat V. who recently defended her Viva Voce exploring a PhD topic looking at food supply and safety in the context of the UK as compared to Zimbabwe. Her storytelling on the challenges of data collection during the 2017 political coup in Zimbabwe is super fascinating. Alongside this, Pat gives a unique view into doing a PhD and juggling motherhood - Pat found out she had fallen pregnant at the very same time she had been awarded her scholarship. She details the challenges of a complicated pregnancy/maternity period, mental health and how her very supportive Supervisory team made allowances to defer her move to the UK to start the PhD after the arrival of her baby. Pat’s story is one of bravery, determination and navigating motherhood through the highs and lows of the PhD experience. She enlightens us on how her peers started a support group for mature students, and her relatives stepped up to help with childcare in the absence of her nuclear family.”