Dr Megan Polden
Name:
Dr Megan Polden
Job title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Place of work / study:
University of Liverpool [1] & University of Lancaster
Area of Research:
Dementia research and Public health
How is your work funded?
NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liverpool funded by the NIHR and the Alzheimer’s Society. I completed my undergraduate degree, masters and PhD at Lancaster University and completed my PhD in October 2022. My PhD focused on examining working memory and inhibitory control processes in Alzheimer’s Disease and mild cognitive impairment and examining whether eye tracking could be an effective method to measure these processes. I have worked at the University of Liverpool since May 2021 and have previously worked on projects examining the effectiveness of newly implemented government public health policies. In October 2022 I was awarded a two-year research fellowship funded by the NIHR and the Alzheimer’s Society which I started in January 2023. I am currently researching the effectiveness and accessibility of singing and dancing intervention services for people living with dementia.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I can play the guitar.
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
While completing my undergraduate degree I volunteered in multiple brain injury units and dementia care homes. I met so many amazing and inspiring people living with dementia and their families and during this time I knew that I wanted to work to help improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families. I also have had personal experience with dementia as my Grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 5 years ago.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Do not give up! Working in academia and getting to the point of working in academia can be a long road with many rejections and set backs along the way. Attaining research funding can be incredibility competitive and at times you may doubt that you will get the position you are striving for (I know I doubted myself on a few occasions), but don’t give up! You will get there!
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I am currently reading Little Women and I would recommend it.