
Our blogs cover a whole range of topics, to help early career dementia researchers (ECRs). Our contributors share information about their research, from social care to basic science, share advice from their own experiences, careers tips, what they learned from recent training events and conferences and much more. We have a small team of ECR staff bloggers who write each month, on a whole range of topics and every year we add more people who discuss their experiences of studying at particular places or on different topics. In addition to our staff bloggers, we welcome one-off contributions, and curate and link to content from other great sources, including our charity partners, the LSE Impact Blog, Nature Careers and where ever great support can be found.
To help find what you're looking for, you can browse through the articles, or use the filters on the right to find blogs by a particular person, or on a particular topic.
We are always on the lookout for new contributors, so if you would like to write for us, just head to the forum to drop us a line, or email dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk
All of our blogs (since April 2020) come with narrations from the writer. You can listen while you read along on our website, or enjoy our blogs on the move via your podcast app. You can subscribe to our narrated blogs in your podcasts app, look for Dementia Researcher Blogs, or visit one of these platforms, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify and Goodpods.
Blog – How to Write a Powerful Conference Abstract
Dr Jodi Watt shares smart, practical tips to help your abstract stand out and boost your chances of getting on the conference programme.
Blog – Writing Your First Fellowship
Dr Yvonne Couch shares wisdom (and warnings) on writing your first fellowship application — from timing and ideas to funding and salary tips.
Blog – LGBTQ+ and higher dementia risk
Bernie McInally explores why LGBTQ+ individuals face higher dementia risks—and what care homes and research need to do better.
Blog – What happens in a grant review panel
Ajantha Abey shares insider insights into the critical factors that make grant applications succeed or fail—essential reading for early-career researchers.
Blog – Choose your Mentors
Dr Becky Carlyle shares insights on choosing the right mentors at critical moments in your career—building leadership and community in academia.
Blog – Embracing Unplanned Opportunities
Yasmin Bonsu shares her journey of accepting an unexpected teaching job offer, reflecting on redefining success and embracing new opportunities after graduation
Blog – How PPIE involvement can Improve a Conference
Guest blog by Dr Clíona Farrell on how PPIE made a research conference more inclusive, impactful, and accessible for all. A must-read for every scientist.
Blog – What I Wish I Knew Before Working in Clinical Trials
New blogger Marian Montanha shares valuable insights from her first nine months in clinical trials, highlighting unexpected challenges and rewarding discoveries
Blog – Will Dementia Research Funding Weather the Financial Storm?
Dr Sam Moxon discusses how shifting government financial priorities might impact dementia research funding, can we weather the storm?
Blog – Stand-Up Scientists: Lessons from Comedy
Want to make your research talks more engaging? Rebecca Williams shares lessons from stand-up comedy to keep your audience hooked. 🎤🎭
Blog – Balancing fieldwork and family
Emily Spencer shares candid reflections on managing PhD fieldwork alongside family life, offering insights into balancing research and parenthood.
Blog – How to use controls in your scientific studies
In their latest blog, Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali explores the crucial role of controls in scientific studies, using insights from their own diverse research experience.
Blog – My PhD: Neurovascular effects of heart disease in Alzheimer’s
Discover how Rahul Sidhu is exploring the link between heart disease and Alzheimer’s, uncovering how vascular health impacts neurodegeneration.
Blog – So you need some data – now what?
Dr Jodi Watt shares expert insights on finding, managing & understanding research data—practical tips, real challenges & motivation to get started!
Blog – How on earth do I hire my team?!
Struggling with hiring your first lab team? Dr Becky Carlyle shares expert tips to help you recruit the right people and build a successful research group!
Blog – My First Clinical Trial: Lessons Learned
Dr Emma Law reflects on key lessons from her first clinical trial, highlighting challenges, organisation, and best practices. Read more.
Blog – How to turn your thesis into publications
Struggling to publish from your PhD? Dr Sam Moxon shares expert tips on turning thesis chapters into journal papers—simplify, structure, submit, and succeed!
Blog – My first time as a peer reviewer
Dr Clíona Farrell shares her first experience as a peer reviewer—navigating confidence, challenges & the process. A must-read for early career researchers!
Blog – Draft Zero to Hero
Rebecca Williams shares insights on overcoming writing struggles, embracing messy first drafts, and collaborating to refine research papers.
Blog – Writing, Parenting, & Everything Else: Making things Work
Emily Spencer shares her latest reflections on juggling academia, parenting, and life—finding balance, facing challenges, and finding time for conferences!
Blog – Addressing inequalities in access to dementia treatment
New Alzheimer's drugs offer hope but aren't available on the NHS, deepening health inequalities. Can we ensure fair access to future treatments? Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali explores
Blog – Experience from a collaborative research trip
Dr Clíona Farrell shares her experience of a US research visit, offering insights on planning, securing funding, and the benefits of international collaboration
Blog – Final Semester: Uncertainty, Applications & Balance
🎓 Yasmin Bonsu shares insights on navigating final-year challenges, PhD applications, rejection, and work-life balance. A must-read for students & grads!
Blog – Heading Into a Year of Job Uncertainty
Dr Jodi Watt reflects on job uncertainty, career choices, and securing short-term funding while questioning their future in academia. Where will 2025 take them?
Blog – To teach, or not to teach?
Dr Becky Carlyle shares her decision to teach, discussing the intense commitment and unexpected benefits of academic teaching roles. This might help you decide.
Blog – MCI Core Outcomes Study: Interviewing the experts
Explore the latest in Victoria Gabb's series as she uncovers the progress of her MCI research, offering unique insights from expert interviews.
Blog – The Binary of Science & Femininity
Discover Rebecca Williams' blog on breaking stereotypes in science and embracing femininity without sacrificing credibility.
Blog – Productivity, Focus, and Parenthood
Emily Spencer explores productivity and focus in her latest blog, as she continues to work on balancing PhD work and parenthood challenges.
Blog – Your CV Needs You: Part Two
Dr Yvonne Couch is working on her CV, in this blog she discuss how to start thinking about adjusting your CV to suit positions outside of academia
Blog – Facing Redundancy in Academia
In this blog, Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali candidly shares her struggles with job insecurity in academia and why a permanent position may not be so permanent
Blog – The Emotional Labour of Study Recruitment
Explore the complexities of emotional labour in dementia research and study recruitment with insights from Dr Sarah Griffiths
Blog – Textile Arts and Dementia
Explore the intersection of textile arts and dementia care with Dr Jodi Watt. Discover therapeutic crafts that blend tradition, memory, and community.
Blog – A vascular element of Alzheimer’s: Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Explore the lesser-known yet critical aspect of Alzheimer’s disease with Dr Clíona Farrell’s insights on Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and its impact.
Blog – Essential Resources for Internship Success
Yasmin Bonsu shares top resources for internship success—discover key platforms and tips to enhance your application journey!
Blog – Opening Notes: Dr Becky Carlyle’s Journey
Meet Dr Becky Carlyle in her first blog post as she joins us as a regular contributor. Her future posts will explore leadership and starting your own lab.
Blog – A PhD’s Christmas Carol
Check out Rebecca Williams's blog, capturing a PhD student's yuletide journey from despair to rediscovery of her research's value!
Blog – Working on the road: Benefits of traveling to meet participants
Driving long distances for research can be isolating, but Amelia shares how to make the most of it, from scenic views and wildlife to uplifting music and podcasts.
Blog – Dementia Winter Care
Dr Sam Moxon reveals the hidden winter challenges for people living with dementia, urging compassion, connection, & understanding during cold, isolating months
Blog – Battling Perfectionism and Building Resilience
Battling perfectionism? Read Emily Spencer's inspiring blog on parenting, academia, and building resilience. Find balance, ditch comparison, and thrive!
Blog – Co-Analysis in Dementia Research: Insights from D-PACT
Explore Lorna Smith's reflections on co-analysis in dementia research, sharing insights and lessons learned from the D-PACT study and her first blog experience!
Blog – Be the Door, Bringing Academia to Life
Rebecca Williams highlights how sharing personal stories and being authentic in academia can inspire young-people and show that their dreams are possible.
Blog – Coping with An Absent Supervisor
Dr Yvonne Couch explores challenges of absent PhD supervisors, offering practical advice for researchers to navigate academic environments effectively.
Blog – Financial Exploitation & Scam Susceptibility in Dementia
Dr Jodi Watt explores financial exploitation & scam risks in dementia, highlighting challenges, solutions, and resources. A must-read for researchers and carers
Blog – Bringing Project Management into your PhD
Explore project management tips for PhD success in this blog from Adam Smith - essential insights for navigating research challenges with confidence!
Blog – Should You Stay? Pros and Cons of Postdoc’ing in Your PhD Lab
Dr Clíona Farrell shares the upsides and challenges of staying in your PhD lab for a postdoc, weighing career benefits, comfort, and fresh perspectives
Blog – Learning from experience to develop MCI Core Outcomes
In this blog Victoria Gabb shares her second update on developing a core outcome set for mild cognitive impairment research in her latest blog post.
ECR & PPI Reflections on Working Together in Co-production
Discover the power of authentic co-production in dementia research. Christine Carter & PPI member Chandrika Kaviraj share reflections from the EQUATED project
Blog – Dear Diary, Why I Keep a Research Journal
Check out Dr Connor Richardson’s insights on how a research journal can keep you organised, motivated, and in tune with your work.