Aishwarya Viswamitra

Thesis: Endometriosis and paid employment at the intersection: understanding organisational and lived experiences of a chronic condition

This study focuses on the organisational and lived experiences of endometriosis in paid employment. Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory, and often debilitating condition affecting 1 in 10 women and other people presumed female at birth. The condition ranges in severity, from asymptomatic cases to severe, disabling presentations, and symptoms do not correspond directly with the staging or extent of disease. Pain remains the most prominent and persistent symptom, and its progression often intensifies over time.

Despite its high prevalence, estimated to be over 1.5 million people in the UK alone, endometriosis is underdiagnosed and often misunderstood. The average diagnostic delay in the UK is eight years and has remained unchanged for the last decade. Within the UK, the annual cost to the national economy is estimated at £8.2 billion, factoring in treatment, loss of work, and healthcare expenses. Despite growing public health attention and the introduction of national strategies such as 2022 Women’s Health Strategy for England, research that addresses how endometriosis is actually experienced and managed in the workplace remains limited, and a lack of structural support could factor into these experiences.

The study takes a mixed-methods approach, using surveys and interviews to explore both organisational responses and individual experiences. Ultimately, the project will co-produce practical recommendations to enhance Endometriosis UK’s EFE scheme and contribute to broader efforts to build inclusive, supportive workplaces.

Biography:

I live at the intersection of storytelling and research, bringing together narratives that spark understanding, connection, and impact. My background spans disciplines, geographies, and media, from producing science podcasts for Research Matters India to amplifying marginalised voices in academia as Web Editor & Social Media Manager at The Life of Science. I’ve shaped inclusive communications as Brand Officer at the Wellcome Trust in London and unveiled menopause experiences through a master’s in feminist geography. I love conducting workshops, Across every role, one thing remains constant: my commitment to storytelling that breaks boundaries and builds connection.

Sociology

Centre for Reproduction Research, De Montfort University

2024 Cohort

Email:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishwarya-viswamitra-17493a220/Link opens in a new window

Supervisors:

Caroline Law

Nicky Hudson

Collaborative Partner:

Endometriosis UK