Blog – Academia and the Sense of Self
Dr Yvonne Couch explores how academia can blur work and self, and why a richer identity beyond research can protect confidence and value.
Blog – Sleep and Dementia: Should We Worry?
Rahul Sidhu explores sleep and dementia, explaining why occasional restless nights are unlikely to matter, while long term sleep problems need attention.
Blog – What’s in a name? Amyloid, Amyloid-beta, Beta Amyloid, Amy-Lloyd
Professor Louise Serpell on why 'amyloid' and 'amyloid-beta' are not the same word, and why the difference matters for Alzheimer's research.
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 – Learning to Belong Somewhere New
Dr Connor Richardson swapped Newcastle for Edinburgh after almost ten years. He reflects on the excitement, the fear and learning to belong somewhere new.
Blog – Not a good advert for Dementia
Bernie McInally reflects on brain donation calls, dementia identity and the sharp humour that reminds us every person remains individual.
Blog – What My First Major NIHR Award Taught Me
Dr Maria Drummond got her first major NIHR award at a farm park, inbox in hand. Then came the conditions, and five months of not knowing.
Blog – If I Fall Behind, I’ll Fall Into Torpor
Dr Tatiana A. Giovannucci imagines a world where researchers must justify their work or face enforced hibernation. It is, quietly, about burnout.
Blog – The Trials and Tribulations of Electrophysiology
Beccy Owen blogs on a year spent learning patch-clamp electrophysiology, the broken pipettes, the phantom noise, and the cells worth waiting for.
Blog – Unexpected Things Dementia Teaches us About Time
Dr Sam Moxon on what watching his grandfather live with dementia taught him about time, and why our most important moments rarely fit on a trend line.
Blog – Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking
Rahul Sidhu on turning public speaking from his greatest fear into something he genuinely enjoys, with seven tips he picked up along the way.
Blog – It’s getting (too) hot in here; the climate crisis & brain health
Dr Clíona Farrell on what the Hot Brain conference revealed about heatwaves, air pollution and the brain health of people with dementia.
Blog – The Contradictions & Challenges of the Junior PI
Dr Yvonne Couch on the junior PI trap: you train people up, lose them to bigger labs, and try to define a job nobody else has defined for you.
Blog – Finding values in research and dementia
Dr Toby Williamson on values, evidence and dementia research, plus an invitation from the new editor of the Journal of Dementia Care.
Blog – Building accessible & inclusive research environments
Becky Carlyle on what disabled researchers need from PIs, why flexible working matters, and how accessible labs make better science for all.
Blog – Alzheimer’s Disease Takes a Lifetime
Professor Louise Serpell explores why Alzheimer’s disease may begin long before symptoms, and why models, biomarkers and collaboration now matter.
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 – Leaving Your University After 10 Years
Dr Connor Richardson reflects on leaving Newcastle after ten years, sharing lessons on motivation, data handover, priorities and the emotional side of moving on
Blog – Making Care Home Research Visible
Bernie McInally reflects on how ENRICH Scotland built a clear gateway to care home research, making it easier to find, connect and collaborate.
Blog – PhD Application Advice: Assessing & Approaching a New Lab
Choosing a PhD lab matters as much as the topic. Dr Ajantha Abey shares how to assess supervisors, vet labs, and approach academics with confidence.
Blog – The Long Way Round to a PhD
Beccy Owen shares her path to a PhD, from doubt and detours to finding her place in dementia research, and what the journey has really felt like.
Blog – Am I Ready? Knowing When to Apply for Your First Research Fellowship
Dr Sam Moxon shares how to judge when to apply for your first research fellowship, from finding your question to proving independence and readiness.
Blog – No Care Homes Left Out in Dementia Research
Kirsty Hynes explores why rural and island care homes must be included in dementia research, highlighting barriers, insights, and opportunities.
Blog – Why “Normal” Cognition Is Hindering Preclinical Alzheimer’s Trials
“Normal” cognition may be masking treatment effects in Alzheimer’s trials. Andrew Kiselica explores how subtle decline could change everything.
Blog – Momentum in Dementia Research: What I Saw at ARUK
Rahul Sidhu reflects on the ARUK conference, sharing key science, emerging ideas, and why dementia research feels more connected and forward moving than ever.
Blog – Optimise, troubleshoot, repeat – Beginning a new project
Dr Clíona Farrell reflects on starting a new postdoc, sharing how planning, troubleshooting, and perseverance shape early project progress in the lab.
Blog – How Site Initiation Visits work and why they matter
Jacqui Kerr explains how Site Initiation Visits prepare research teams, ensure compliance, and set the foundation for safe, high quality clinical trials.
Blog – The Motherhood Penalty and Career Progression
Dr Becky Carlyle reflects on motherhood, academia, and career impact, exploring real challenges and small changes that could support working parents.
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 – From Academia and Beyond
After 34 years in academia, Prof Louise Serpell reflects on mentoring, burnout, and starting again. A story of science, students, and finding a new direction.
Blog – Managing patient expectations (without overpromising)
Dr Emma Law explores how researchers manage patient expectations in research while being clear about uncertainty, consent, and the realities of clinical trials.
Blog – If Only I Were an ECR Lessons from a Bangkok Park
Bernie McInally reflects on a Bangkok park where exercise, karaoke and community among older adults raise new questions for dementia research.
Blog – ChatGPT in Academia
Dr Yvonne Couch explores how researchers use ChatGPT in academia, asking if it boosts productivity, changes research culture, or exposes deeper problems.
Blog – Real Food for Thought in the Fight Against Dementia
A moving blog from Dr Sam Moxon on Lewy body dementia, diagnosis uncertainty, family experience, and why awareness matters even without clear answers
Blog – Imposter Syndrome
Rahul Sidhu reflects on imposter syndrome in research and shares practical ways early career scientists can manage doubt, build confidence, and keep growing.
Blog – How I Came To Enjoy Public Speaking As An Introvert
Dr Ajantha Abey reflects on moving from stage fright to enjoying public speaking, and how practice, teaching, and confidence shaped their voice as a researcher.
Blog – Two Worlds of Clinical Trials
Dr Peter Connelly explores the differences between academic and industry sponsored clinical trials and what they mean for recruitment, intensity and practice.
Blog – Supervision vs Mentorship
Dr Kamar Ameen Ali reflects on becoming a primary PhD supervisor and why supervision and mentorship are distinct roles that shape academic careers.
Blog – Returning to work after a travel-filled career break
After five months travelling across Asia, Dr Clíona Farrell returns to a postdoc at UCL and reflects on breaks, doubt, and starting again.
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 – An Introverts Survival Guide to Conferences
Feeling overwhelmed at conferences? Dr Gemma Lace shares practical ways to manage anxiety, network comfortably and make events work for your career.
Blog – A Career in Alzheimer’s Research
Prof Louise Serpell reflects on a lifetime in Alzheimer’s research, from early nerves to building a collaborative career shaped by curiosity, setbacks & people
Blog – Academic overwhelm, you’re not the only one!
Dr Becky Carlyle shares her experience of academic overwhelm, balancing research, teaching and life, plus practical ways to manage pressure and stay grounded.
Blog – Storytelling in Academia
Dr Yvonne Couch explains why storytelling helps researchers communicate science, engage audiences, and improve writing, presentations, and collaboration.
Blog – How We Ensure Safety in Dementia Drug Trials
Emma Law explains how safety is protected in dementia drug trials, from recruitment & screening to monitoring participants throughout complex clinical studies
Blog – My journey to a PhD in neuroscience: the highs & lows
From lab resits to first author papers, Rahul Sidhu shares his journey into dementia research and what it really takes to reach a PhD in neuroscience.
Blog – Never Truly Known, The Reality of Lewy Body Dementia
A moving blog from Dr Sam Moxon on Lewy body dementia, diagnosis uncertainty, family experience, and why awareness matters even without clear answers
Blog – Alzheimer’s to Lewy Body Disease – Expanding our Research Horizons
From Alzheimer’s to Lewy body disease, Dr Ajantha Abey explains why looking beyond single diagnoses matters & how shared pathology can shape research and trials
