Twenty years ago, in sunny Brighton, I found myself at a crossroads and seeking advice from the late, great Dr Sandra Winn, my undergraduate lecturer and an instrumental figure in my early academic journey. Sandra had not only taught me research methods but she recruited me into my first research post while at my graduation. When I asked her whether I should pursue a PhD, she reassured me with what I now realise was a deceptively simple truth: ‘It's just about being organised’.

Fast forward a few research posts and universities later, I embarked on my PhD, which was a discursive exploration of how men convicted of rape accounted for their offences. A light-hearted topic? Not quite! Looking back, Sandra's words gave me the confidence to start my PhD journey, as my superpower was in the writing of a good to-do list. But let's be honest, it turns out there's a bit more to it than being organised!

The PhD experience, while unique, is also profoundly universal in its challenges. As you will discover in this book, there are shared experiences which will resonate with anyone who has undertaken a PhD. Imposter syndrome (spoiler alert: it never fully goes away), loneliness, and persistent uncertainty are familiar companions. Explaining what you do to others who haven't been on the journey … whether it is your well-meaning granny who assumes you’re avoiding a ‘proper job’ or your mates down the pub who don't quite get what you are doing, only adds to the complexity.

But let us not dwell solely on the struggles! The PhD journey is also a time of immense growth. It creates a community, a huge sense of achievement, and, of course, an original contribution to knowledge.