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Join us on Thursday 13th June at 12pm (BST) for a live information session and Q&A with Race Against Dementia, introducing their exciting Ignition Fund.

Designed to support high-risk, high-reward projects, this fund is for dementia researchers with fresh, bold ideas that have the potential to shift the landscape of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or fundamental understanding of the disease.

Whether you’re looking to test a novel concept or expand your research in a new direction, this session will give you everything you need to consider applying. Hear directly from Race Against Dementia, ask your questions, and explore whether this opportunity is right for you.

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Dr Emma Law, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

In this blog, Emma Law shares her experience working with clinical research teams across Scotland. She reflects on the key qualities that make a team successful—thorough preparation, mutual respect, clear communication, and the pivotal role of the coordinator. With practical examples and real-life stories, Emma highlights the importance of acknowledging team limitations, ensuring thorough training, and maintaining humour and compassion in the face of challenges. Her insights offer a grounded look into the realities of clinical trial delivery.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-what-makes-a-good-clinical-research-team/

#DementiaResearch #ClinicalTrials #Research #TrialDelivery

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Dr Emma Law is Strategic Manager for the The Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network in Scotland. Emma has 13 years experience as a Clinical Trails Network Manager and over 35 years experience as a Nurse, many of which were spent in the delivery of Clinical Research Trials. Emma completed her PhD and is passionate about giving people living with dementia and their carers access to participate in research. 

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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In this session guest speakers Dr Anna Volkmer and Gareth O'Brien talk about Navigating the NIHR Academic Funding Track.

The Dementia Researcher Salon Webinars take place every Wednesday at 12 noon / 8.00pm UK Time. Join live in the dementia researcher community, watch the recordings immediatley after they happen - or wait 3 months for their release to YouTube.

First broadcast in the Dementia Researcher Community - watch more recordings and join weekly sessions at:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

@NIHRtv
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Navigating the NIHR Academic Funding Track is essential for researchers aiming to establish a career in health and care research. In this Salon session we will explore the funding opportunities available within the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) framework - supporting researchers and future researchers at all career stages. Exploring what strategies can you employ to align your research goals with the priorities of NIHR funding streams? How can you effectively demonstrate the impact of your work to potential funders? By examining the application process, key eligibility criteria, and common pitfalls, we aim to provide participants with practical insights for successfully navigating this complex landscape.

Speakers

Dr Anna Volkmer is a Speech and Language Therapist and Senior NIHR Research Fellow at University College London. Anna has been successful in navigating the NIHR funding programmes from PhD through to Senior Fellow, and grants in-between.

Gareth O'Brien is the Operations Director for the all new NIHR Research Support Service London at Imperial College London. The RSS builds on the work of its predecessor the Research Design Service - it provides free and confidential advice to develop funding applications within the remit of the NIHR, including clinical, applied health and social care research, and post-award advice to award holders. Gareth is one of the leaders making this new support service happen across London.

Programme

The format of the event is a 30 minute livestream where the speakers will each present their thoughts on this topic for 10 minutes each, the host will then ask questions and the livestream will end. The speakers will then join the online chat and interact with the audience, answering questions and giving those who attended a chance to share their thoughts on the topic.

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Recorded live at the BNA 2025 Festival of Neuroscience, this special episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast explores how researchers can build visibility in authentic and meaningful ways. Host Dr Emma Yhnell from Cardiff University is joined by Dr Ian Harrison from University College London, Dr Ekta Patel from the Medicines Discovery Catapult and Professor Fiona Ducotterd from the ARUK Drug Discovery Institute at UCL. They provide practical and personal discussion on raising your academic profile — both online and in real life.

Together, they reflect on the challenges and benefits of self-promotion, share strategies to overcome imposter syndrome, and offer advice on making the most of networking opportunities. They also talk about the power of storytelling, volunteering, and showing up as your real self in academic spaces.

Whether you're just getting started or trying to take the next step in your career, this episode offers relatable insights and actionable tips.
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Top Takeaways

✍️ Start small — writing blog posts, joining a committee, or talking to someone new at a conference all count.
🔁 Reframe self-promotion as sharing your work with purpose and generosity.
🧱 Visibility builds confidence, not the other way around — and it’s something you can practise over time.
🗣️ Your perspective matters — you don’t need to be the loudest voice, just an authentic one.
🤝 The people behind the science are just as important as the science itself.
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Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
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Like what you see? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. You can also find an audio version on our website and in your podcast app.
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This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support.
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Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download our new community app: https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher
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Chapters:

00:00 Introductions
04:13 First Steps to Building Visibility
06:46 Addressing Self-Promotion Myths
10:40 Confidence, Imposter Syndrome, and Inclusion
13:56 Practical Ways to Increase Visibility
17:55 Volunteering and Leadership Opportunities
19:27 Networking With Intention
22:37 What Employers Look For in CVs
25:15 One-Sentence Visibility Advice
26:27 Closing Remarks and Thanks

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Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

In this blog, Clíona reflects on the step-by-step process of getting her first first-author data paper published. Drawing on a project that began during her PhD and continued into her postdoc, Clíona highlights the many layers of work involved – from early authorship discussions to final submission and revisions. Her account underscores how time-consuming, iterative, and unexpectedly complex academic publishing can be, offering an honest and practical perspective for researchers navigating their first manuscript journey.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-first-time-through-the-publication-process/

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Dr Clíona Farrell is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. Her work focuses on understanding neuroinflammation in Down syndrome, both prior to, and in response to, Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Clíona completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience in Trinity College, and then worked as a research assistant in the Royal College of Surgeons studying ALS and Parkinson’s disease. She also knows the secret behind scopping the perfect 99 ice-cream cone. @ClionaFarrell_
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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Hosted by Adam Smith, this livestream event welcomes two leaders at the intersection of technology and dementia care:

🌟 Dr Zeke Steer, Co-founder & CEO of Milbotix, Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Health & Clinical Research, University of the West of England. From defence engineering to dementia care, Zeke’s journey focuses on innovative solutions to manage distress and agitation in dementia through wearables, robotics, and AI. Discover the story behind Milbotix’s groundbreaking SmartSocks, including insights from early trials and upcoming launches.

🌟 Sarah Daniels, Consultant Allied Health Professional and Health & Social Care Lead at the UK Dementia Research Institute’s Care Research and Technology Centre. Sarah brings extensive experience as an occupational therapist and clinical researcher, specialising in digital measures, smart home technologies, and the integration of wearable tech in daily dementia care. She will highlight the innovative UK Minder Project, its implementation of wearable tech (like SmartSocks), and discuss the practicalities, challenges, and immense opportunities in wearable and AI-driven healthcare.

Discussion Highlights:

UK Minder Project: Introducing Minder and Minder Care, their wearable technologies, and ongoing research experiences.

Wearables in Dementia Care: Practical considerations including charging, user compliance, data privacy, safety, and device integration challenges.

Technology in Healthcare: Enhancing decision-making, continuity of care, and timely interventions through technology-enabled care.

SmartSocks: How innovative wearable tech supports care through comfort, actionable data insights, and real-time monitoring.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation exploring how wearable technologies and smart analytics can reshape dementia care—making it safer, smarter, and more compassionate.

🔔 Set a reminder, and join the conversation live!

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Dr Peter Connelly narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In his first blog for Dementia Researcher, Dr Peter Connelly highlights the pivotal role memory clinics play in dementia clinical research. Despite often being perceived as distinct from everyday practice, he argues that the overlap between routine cognitive assessments and trial protocols offers an opportunity for better integration. From enhancing referrals through shared assessment tools like the MMSE to educating mainstream services, memory clinics can bridge gaps and increase trial participation. He calls for more seamless collaboration between clinical care and research, underlining the practical and strategic value of memory clinics in the clinical trial landscape.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-role-of-memory-clinics-in-clinical-research/

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Dr Peter Connelly is a retired Old Age Psychiatrist who spent much of his career in Tayside, helping to establish clinical trials for dementia and neuroprogressive disorders in Scotland. Now working with the Scottish Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, he combines professional insight with personal experience as a former carer. In retirement, he enjoys music, golf, and time with his grandchildren.

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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In this session Hannah Crouse will guest host with our speakers Professor Patrick Lewis & Dr Kalisha Bonds Johnson explore 'Funding opportunities beyond your PhD'.

The Dementia Researcher Salon Webinars take place every Wednesday at 12 noon / 8.00pm UK Time. Join live in the dementia researcher community, watch the recordings immediatley after they happen - or wait 3 months for their release to YouTube.

First broadcast in the Dementia Researcher Community - watch more recordings and join weekly sessions at:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

#PhD #funding
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Exploring funding opportunities beyond your PhD is vital for sustaining and advancing your research career. In this workshop, we will examine the diverse avenues available for securing financial support after graduation. Should you go straight into Fellowship Applications? Stay in same lab? What if traditional funding sources are not aligned with your research focus? How can you leverage collaborations or alternative funding models to support your work? We will discuss strategies for identifying and approaching potential funders, as well as the importance of networking and building relationships in the funding landscape. This session aims to stimulate critical thinking and engage participants in a dialogue with our expert speakers, providing insights that can enhance their funding pursuits.

Speakers

Dr Patrick Lewis is an academic in the department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the Royal Veterinary College, working to understand the mechanisms that underlie neurodegeneration in humans and animals. He has been investigating the causes of neurodegeneration for two decades, working on Alzheimer’s disease, the Prion diseases and, since 2005, Parkinson’s disease. His major research interest is understanding how mutations associated with neurodegenerative diseases alter the way brain cells work, causing them to die. During these years, he has supervised and mentored many PhD students to discover their career paths.

Dr Kalisha Bonds Johnson is an Assistant Professor, Tenure track at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia. Kalisha graduated with a PhD from Oregon Health & Science University in 2019. During her PhD program, she was funded through several mechanisms, including the SAMHSA at American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program and the Jonas Foundation as a Veterans Healthcare Scholar. She is focussed on the decision-making processes regarding healthcare services for African American persons living with dementia and how these decision-making processes affect the quality of life of African American persons living with dementia and their families. Kalisha is passionate about supporting early career researchers to find their path into research, and securing the funding they need.

Host

Our guest host for this webinar is Hannah Crouse. Hannah is a first-generation PhD student at Carleton University in Canada. Hannah's research is focused on 2S/LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of dementia and care.

Programme

The format of the event is a 30 minute livestream where the speakers will each present their thoughts on this topic for 10 minutes each, the host will then ask questions and the livestream will end. The speakers will then join the online chat and interact with the audience, answering questions and giving those who attended a chance to share their thoughts on the topic.

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Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In this guest blog, Adam challenges the scepticism around “personal branding” by reframing it as a tool for clarity rather than self-promotion. Drawing from personal anecdotes and practical advice, he explains how early career researchers can shape how they’re perceived by being deliberate in how they show up, online and in person. With thoughtful encouragement, he demystifies what a brand is and isn’t—and why even quiet, kind, reliable people can benefit from having one.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-building-a-personal-brand/

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Adam Smith was born in the north, a long time ago. He wanted to write books, but ended up working in the NHS, and at the Department of Health.  He is now Programme Director in the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research (which probably sounds more important than it is) at University College London. He has led a number of initiatives to improve dementia research (including this website, Join Dementia Research & ENRICH), as well as pursuing his own research interests. In his spare time, he grows vegetables, builds Lego & spends most of his time drinking too much coffee and squeezing technology into his house.

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

In this blog, Rebecca offers a pragmatic guide to everyday tech that can support academic work. From AI tools like ChatGPT and Elicit, to reference managers and visual design hacks in PowerPoint, she explores how to navigate, adopt, and balance new digital tools. Rebecca also champions the use of social media platforms like BlueSky to connect and amplify research, encouraging researchers to make technology work for them—efficiently, thoughtfully, and creatively.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-ai-and-bluesky-embracing-the-everyday-tech-of-academia/
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Rebecca Williams is PhD student at the University of Cambridge. Though originally from ‘up North’ in a small town called Leigh, she did her undergraduate and masters at the University of Oxford before defecting to Cambridge for her doctorate researching Frontotemporal dementia and Apathy. She now spends her days collecting data from wonderful volunteers, and coding. Outside work, she plays board games, and is very crafty. @beccasue99

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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