Walking Into the Unknown: A Research Journey Through Abuse, Trauma, Motherhood, Poverty, and the Covid Pandemic

Researching the lives of mothers with children under five from the most deprived areas of a major city in the United Kingdom during a pandemic was never going to be easy. In this performative reflection, I explore how walking and the side-be-sidedness of our interaction facilitated conversation and understanding, between one young mother and myself. I also consider in this performative text, the way a researcher’s thoughts whirl around and respond to what is being shared, although never voiced at the time.