From Psychology to Military History
I almost studied an entirely different discipline.
Psychology was one possibility. I even came close to pursuing a degree in midwifery.
In the end, I followed the road of World War history.
I now hold a BA and MA in History and have undertaken doctoral research exploring the experiences and legacies of war.
Over time, I realised that my fascination with military history was not really about the military itself.
I became interested in what happens when human beings are pushed to their limits – when resilience reaches reserve level and people find ways to survive rather than thrive.
My particular interest is in what happens after the war is over.
What happens to those who lived through war?
What are the longer-term effects of traumatic experiences?
And what happens to the families who live with the after-effects of those experiences?
The Impact of Military Experience Can Reach Beyond the Person Who Served
The effects of military service and traumatic experiences do not necessarily end when someone returns home.
Families can experience their own challenges and may find themselves living with the effects of experiences they did not personally experience.
The impact can ripple through relationships, family life and generations.
This is one of the areas that has shaped my research and my approach to supporting veterans' families.
As part of my doctoral research, I have worked closely with living descendants of First World War veterans who experienced facial disfigurement, travelling across the UK to interview members of the third generation.
I have also interviewed high-profile individuals whose experiences have changed the way I understand trauma, resilience and the ways in which experiences can shape people's lives.
Alongside my research, I have received training from psychologists in working with military families and descendants, including how to approach sensitive and potentially triggering conversations.
Bringing Research Together With Lived Experience
All of this has shaped the way I approach my role at CDARS.
But there is one principle that is perhaps even more important to me than my academic background:
I never presume to know someone's lived experience.
No two families are the same.
No two veterans' experiences are the same.
And no two spouses, partners, parents, children or other family members will necessarily experience the impact of military service in the same way.
That is why I have started this project by listening.
I have been interviewing spouses and partners of veterans about their lives using the photograph elicitation method.
It allows people to share their experiences in their own way and, importantly, it allows my favourite question to remain:
