For those that said I could and should, and for those that said I couldn’t and shouldn’t.

I could leave it at that because quite honestly it summarises my experiences with people on this 8-year PhD journey rather well, but then that would not be fair to a few people that are really worthy of mention and thanks.

Let me start with Professor Yvonne Brunetto, my primary supervisor and my saviour. Yvonne, you gave me my PhD mojo back when it was needed most and your guidance has undoubtedly made me a better researcher and academic writer. Quite simply I could not have done this without you. And Dr Silvia Nelson, my secondary supervisor, who could find a needle in a haystack. Your ability to comb through my drafts and revisions to find even the smallest of errors was exemplary. You let me get away with nothing.

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To my lifelong best friend, Dr Belinda Russon, who has been on this journey with me for the whole very long eight years. You would check in with me and kick me back into gear when I was losing motivation. You even started your PhD after me and finished before me, which was a rather over-the-top and committed way to ensure I finished my own. There is no one else like you on this planet and I’m thrilled I have you in my corner.

Next of course there is my family with their unconditional love and support. Mum and Jeff, I love you. Thank you to my children, Naomi and Dominic Green, for accepting that mum is always ‘studying’ and has done so for as long as you can remember. I hope I make you proud and set an example for you that learning is lifelong.

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Finally, I want to thank my husband, Scott Shoesmith. While you only came into my life recently, and consequently only in the final few years of my PhD journey, you make me a better person everyday – PhD or no PhD. There is no one else I would rather do life with.

So, thank you to all the people that got me to the finish line (of course there are more than I have mentioned here – and you know who you are). I am forever indebted to you.