My guest this week is Dr Laura Abbott, whose research career has been dedicated to studying the experiences of pregnant women in the prison system. She co-authored The Birth Charter for pregnant women in England and Wales. She has contributed to Government reviews on how staff can manage and care for pregnant women and mothers in prison. She leads the Lost Mothers project, explores the experiences of incarcerated mothers, separated from their babies, and the professionals who support them.

Joining me on The Mummafesto this week is professor of sociology, Tina Miller. Tina’s research covers all things motherhood and fatherhood, reproductive health and constructions of gender. Tina, welcome to The Mummafesto.  

You can find out more about Tina's work and her publications here. Her latest book is 'Motherhood: Contemporary Experiences and Generational Change' Cambridge University Press.

Joining me on The Mummafesto this week is Becca Ehrlich. Becca is a Walthamstow local and founder of the noisy book club, designed to help teach parents how to support their children both in their education and emotionally. Becca’s mission is to teach parents alongside their children, creating a resilient household in which everyone can support and be supported. Becca, welcome to The Mummafesto.  

You can find out more about The Noisy Book Club via the website: http://www.noisybookclub.com/

Joining me on The Mummafesto is the indomitable Liuba Grechen Shirley. Liuba is the founder of the Vote Mama Foundation, the leading source of research and analysis about the political participation of moms. Liuba became the first woman in history to receive federal approval to spend Campaign Funds of childcare, gaining support from Hilary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren.

Helen is the Convenor of The Centenary Action Group, the UK’s largest coalition of women’s rights activists and organisations. The Centenary Action Group advocates for the development, improvement and implementation of laws and policies that reduce or remove the barriers to women’s political participation   

Helen is the great granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst.  

CARE International: Helen is an international development and women’s rights advisor to CARE international, working in Ethiopia and the UK. Her work with CARE focuses mainly on the trying to combat the dangers of a world that is de-prioritising development and a focus on women and girls.

She is a Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University and the first Chancellor of the University of Suffolk and holds honorary doctorates from Edge Hill University and the University of Manchester.   

Joining me on The Mummafesto this week is founder of Beyond the School Run, Louise Webster. Beyond the School Run was founded as a place to help parents utilise their skills and talents and help businesses connect with this talent. Since then, Louise has published her first book, ‘A new way for mothers’.

Joining me on The Mummafesto this week is the author and researcher Alex Bollen.  Formerly a research director at Ipsos MORI, Alex has recently published her first

book, 'Motherhood: Breaking free from bad science and good mother

myths' - exploring how motherhood has been weaponised by science and

the state and the inherently political nature of motherhood. Alex,

welcome to The Mummafesto.

You can find out more about Alex's work and book here.

Joining me this week on The Mummafesto is Georgie Harris and Bex Taylor, founders of Mums Who Build. Mums Who Build is a space for women navigating motherhood, business and career growth, focusing on financial security and tackling the motherhood penalty. It was born out of their own experience of managing careers and parenting. MOB, welcome to The Mummafesto. 

You can find out more about MOB at: www.mumswhobuild.com

Joining me on The Mummafesto this week is Arooj Shah. Arooj is a Labour politician and has been the leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council in Great Manchester since May 2023. Arooj has had a a long and varied career in local Government and was the first Muslim woman to charge of a council in the north of England. Arooj, welcome to The Mummafesto.  

Joining me on The Mummafesto this week is Guardian columnist and

political correspondent, Gaby Hinsliff. Gaby is the former editor of

The Observer and editor at large of Grazia magazine. In 2012 Gaby

published 'Half a Wife:The Working Family's Guide to Getting a Life

Back'. Half a Wife is based on Gaby's own experience of trying to

balance a family life with a rewarding career. Gaby, welcome to The

Mummafesto.