In this conversation, Lizah Nyemba Makombore takes us through her academic journey from Zimbabwe to South Africa and now the United States. She opens up about the realities of navigating academia as a young African scholar — from cultural shifts and imposter syndrome to finding strength in resilience and community. Lizah unpacks why African voices are essential in global conversations around sustainable development and ecological economics, and shares her experience teaching in both South Africa and the U.S., offering thoughtful reflections on student engagement and local context. She also shares advice for aspiring scholars and her hopes for the future of research and policy rooted in justice and relevance.