They originally planned to fly her to Europe, but her deteriorating condition meant she was evacuated to South Africa instead, and ended up at a hospital in Johannesburg that specialised in complex trauma.
Following a long recovery where she had to learn to read and walk again, Irwin eventually returned to academia in 2009 at the University of York.
“I spent eight years in rehab, learning to walk, talk, manage being a disabled person,” she recalls.
“I’ve lost something called proprioception, so that means I don’t know where I am in space and I can’t see moving cars.
“I was so close to finishing my PhD, and then after eight years of not doing science, you get a bit out of date, so I needed an opportunity to relearn and finish my PhD.”
Irwin’s return was supported by a fellowship from the Daphne Jackson Trust, a charity that supports STEM professionals returning to research following a career break.
“It was an absolute lifeline,” said Irwin. “It’s full of a bunch of people who have had caring responsibilities for parents or children.
“There’s a whole cohort of highly trained scientists who, for whatever reason, they step off the path, that doesn’t stop them being highly trained to be able to come back and contribute to the economy.”
