In 2006, with Emily So, I went to the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake of 8 October 2005. It changed my life. The aim of for Emily was to ask survivors of the earthquake about their injuries as part of her PhD. My job was to help her design a the survey. We interviewed people in Islamabad responsible for coordinating relief and reconstruction and visited the areas affected by the earthquake. We also drove up the beautiful Kaghan Valley as far as we were able. Understanding some of the issues faced by survivors of the earthquake was a powerful experience for us both. It made me passionate about finding out what things would help people, economies and societies recovery quicker and build back better.