This week’s episode focuses on the PhD and motherhood as Anna Woolf shares her insights and experiences.   

 

Anna is a Ph.D. candidate at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her research examines socially engaged arts, health and applied theatre in relation to teenagers with the complex autoimmune disease juvenile idiopathic arthritis.  

 

In this interview Anna reflects on her personal connection to her PhD topic.  She also talks about how her life situation has meant that she has needed to work at her own pace through the project.

 

In this episode Anna identifies the ways in which caring responsibilities force you to focus.  

She talks about ‘slow academia’ and allowing ideas the time to percolate.  Anna talks about the ‘garden of research’ and how it is important to take time to tend to what you are trying to grow as well as allowing for cross pollination.  

 

Anna emphasizes the importance of a supportive community and of what she calls her “lady-gang”

 

Here is a link to Anna’s blog post on returning to study after having a baby:  https://motherofalllists.com/2018/08/03/going-back-to-study-after-a-baby-why/

 

Here is the link to The Slow Academic:  https://theslowacademic.com/

 

Here is the link to Kim Solga’s blog: https://theactivistclassroom.wordpress.com/

 

Here is a link to the work of Sue Mayo: http://www.suemayo.co.uk/

 

Here is a link to PhD and Early Career Researcher Parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/776957585681408

You can contact Anna: 

anna.woolf.net

IG @socialmediamum

TW @annabosworth

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