Acknowledgements

I have had the great fortune of benefiting from the guidance and support of many people in researching and writing this book. My deepest gratitude goes to my promotor Bart Deygers, whose brilliance and warmth have left an enduring imprint on these pages and on my intellectual growth. Numerous colleagues and mentors along the way have provided insights and helped me crystalize ideas. I would like to particularly thank Marieke Vanbuel, Dorien Van De Mieroop, Albert Weideman, Cecilie Hamnes Carlsen, Sara Wallace Goodman, and Ute Knoch. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the participants of this research. This book would not have been possible without their opennes, kindness, and generosity. I look forward to continueing the conversation in the future. Finally, for their unflagging encouragement, loyalty, and care, my most heartfelt thanks go to my parents, Ken and Char Schildt, my daughters, Sophia and Joelle Njiki Schildt, and my partner, Eric Vandenberghe.