Sunisha, a doctoral researcher at the Institute of Development Studies, was the winner of the 2024 Three Minute Thesis competition, which is run by the Sussex Researcher School. The annual competition, which has recently been launched for 2025, challenges postgraduate researchers (PGRs) to deliver a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes. Find out more about last year’s winner Sunisha and the impact she hopes her research will achieve:

My research focuses on maternal health in a remote mountainous area in Nepal and it explores the lived experiences of pregnant women and healthcare providers. I examine the disconnect between policies and on-the-ground realities, highlighting how systemic challenges such as geographical factors, the local economy, resource constraints and societal expectations affect maternal health outcomes.

By focusing on the voices of women and their caregivers, I hope to bring attention to the pressing need for policies that reflect local realities, ensuring women in remote areas give birth under safer and more supported conditions. I hope my research encourages researchers, policymakers, and society at large to approach rural and remote communities with humility and respect, listening to their needs and seeking solutions that align with their realities and lived experiences. I also aim to highlight the structural violence and precarity that marginalised and remote communities face daily, fostering a deeper understanding of their realities and contributing to efforts toward equity.

I’m deeply inspired by young women in remote areas. Despite facing immense systemic barriers, their resourcefulness and strength is remarkable. They remind me of the importance of creating opportunities that empower them to thrive on their own terms and exercise their agency.

My favourite spot is my PhD office, where I can work and also watch rabbits through the big windows; it’s a calming connection to nature. I enjoy the gym too, which helps me stay balanced.

My advice to new doctoral researchers is to ensure you have a strong emotional support system; it’s invaluable. Prioritise physical fitness as well to maintain an overall well-being. Equally important is to regularly reflect on why you’re doing your research. Staying connected to your motivation will help you navigate the demands of the PhD and keep you grounded in the purpose behind your work.

Find out about how to enter this year’s Three Minute Thesis competition.

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