From Zimbabwe to Cambridge: Discussing Mental Health Research and Advocacy

Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH)

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.35725
In this In Conversation Podcast, Clara Faria is joined by Tanatswa Chikaura, a mental health researcher and advocate, Founder and Director of Ndinewe Foundation, and PhD candidate in the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Cambridge.
Tanatswa’s research interests include suicide prevention, trauma, and mental health among autistic children and adults. Tanatswa was acknowledged in 2023 with a Diana Award for her mental health advocacy work.
The focus of this podcast is on Tanatswa’s research journey, her mental health advocacy work, and how she conciliates both.
Discussion points include:

• The experience of moving from Zimbabwe to the UK to do an MPhil in Translational Neuroscience at Cambridge, and the process of adapting to a new country whilst studying.
• Tanatswa’s interest in studying anxiety and autism.
• Tips for choosing a research topic and supervisor when applying for PhDs.
• Insight into the Ndinewe Foundation, including what inspired its creation, the main goals and its achievements so far.
• Advice for young people from low- and middle- income countries who want to apply for postgraduate training in the UK.

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