Blog – Overcoming Academic Conference Presentation Anxiety
Emily Spencer on conference presentation anxiety, returning to conference season after maternity leave, and why the talk she dreaded went better than expected.
All posts by Emily Spencer
Emily Spencer is a PhD Student at University College London looking at improving how GPs communicate with people with dementia and their family carers about their future care. Emily previously had a 5 year career break to pursue a career as a musician, and has previously undertaken research on improving the care people with dementia receive from their GP practice, as well as end-of-life and palliative care provision in the community. Emily is also a parent, and writes about her experiences balancing family life with a research career.
Blog – The Hidden Work of Finishing a PhD
Emily Spencer reflects on the final PhD stretch, hidden thesis tasks, conference pressure, rejected funding, and finding focus before submission
Blog – Life After the PhD: My Fellowship Application
Emily Spencer on the strange clarity that arrived when her PhD funding clock started ticking, and why a fellowship application suddenly made sense to her.
Blog – Motherhood, PhDs, and the Funding Gap
Emily Spencer reflects on motherhood during a PhD, exposing funding gaps, maternity pay uncertainty, and why research systems must better support parents.
Blog – Learning to Let Good Be Enough
Emily Spencer reflects on perfectionism during her PhD, asking if striving for excellence can sometimes limit progress and wellbeing.
Blog – Battling Disconnection
Doing a PhD can feel lonely, especially alongside parenting and pressure. Emily Spencer shares how disconnection crept in and what helped her feel less alone.
Blog – Time, Work, and a Two-Year-Old
Juggling a PhD, new job, and parenting a fearless toddler, Emily Spencer reflects on time, balance, and how motherhood shapes her life and work.
Blog – Rethinking Balance in Research
PhD student Emily Spencer reflects on boundaries, wellbeing, and work-life balance in research, and how rethinking priorities can bring real change.
Blog – Letting Go of Mum Guilt
Emily Spencer reflects on mum guilt and explains why adding an extra childcare day will help her work and support her energetic toddler’s wellbeing.
Blog – The Exhausting Reality of Data Collection
Emily Spencer shares the day-to-day challenges of research data collection in dementia studies, from rushed paperwork to long hours and mental overload.
Blog – Staying Ahead of the PhD Panic Curve
Emily Spencer shares how she’s managing ethics delays, childcare, and deadlines in her PhD and staying ahead of the PhD panic curve.
Blog – Retreat, Regroup, Rewrite
Emily Spencer shares how a writing retreat helped her find rest, focus, and confidence during a challenging stage of her PhD journey.