There can be little doubt that there is a global movement toward a Mode 2 research and learning environment, that is, a move toward socially robust, collaborative research, centred on problem solving. However, as academics and researchers, there is still pressure to conform to a Mode 1 doctoral paradigm, that is, individual disciplinary centred programs. The ‘lions’ are two women who are mothers, researchers and educators, who work in traditionally diverse professional practice paradigms. The ‘which’ is an exploration of an appropriate doctoral program for their work. The ‘wardrobe’ is the context of the research, which is, challenging the ‘norms’ of the professional practice of engineers and ergonomists (and related undergraduate education) to enhance outcomes in system design by moving toward a human centred engineering paradigm through the integration of ergonomics into engineering.