Dear Solutions Lab,
I’m in the first year of my PhD and I feel quite isolated because I’m the only person in my department working in dementia research. Most of my peers are in very different fields, and while they’re supportive, it’s not the same as having people who ‘get’ the challenges of dementia studies. I can’t really afford to attend lots of conferences or big networking events — the cost and time away are just too much. As a first-generation students, I sometimes feel like I’m already at a disadvantage compared to others who seem to have more contacts and resources. How can I build a useful network of people in dementia research without needing to travel all the time or spend money I don’t have?