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@ucl.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. Look for Dementia Researcher Blogs, or visit one of these platforms, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify and Goodpods.
Blog – More Research Habits I Wish I’d Started Earlier in My PhD
Dr Ajantha Abey shares six more PhD habits worth starting early, covering notes, ideas, networks, conferences, side projects and life after the PhD.
Blog – Giving Your First Seminar: What I Learned
Beccy Owen spent months dreading her first seminar. Preparing for it turned out to be the most useful thing she did all year. Here's what she learned.
Blog – The PhD Comfort Zone
Harriet Greene was comfortable in her Oxford lab, so she spent 3 weeks in a Spanish one instead, this is her blog on why the PhD comfort zone is worth leaving.
Blog – Overcoming Academic Conference Presentation Anxiety
Emily Spencer on conference presentation anxiety, returning to conference season after maternity leave, and why the talk she dreaded went better than expected.
Blog – Research Habits I Wish I’d Started Earlier in My PhD
Dr Ajantha Abey shares the PhD lab hacks he wishes he had started earlier: experiment numbering, file naming, notes, references and figures
Blog – When Experiments Fail: Staying Positive in Research
Beccy Owen on why a failed experiment does not make you a bad scientist, and how to keep a positive mindset when the work refuses to cooperate.
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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – Uncertainty: Academia’s Drive & Downfall
Rebecca Williams explores how uncertainty drives science but also threatens careers, reflecting on her PhD journey, stability, and the thrill of the unknown.
Blog – Career Decisions in Academia
Rebecca Williams shares why there is no 'wrong path' in academia or life, exploring career choices, fear of mistakes, and the value of diverse experiences.
Blog – The Exhausting Reality of Data Collection
Emily Spencer shares the day-to-day challenges of research data collection in dementia studies, from rushed paperwork to long hours and mental overload.
Blog – Self-Worth versus Reviewer Two
Rebecca Williams reflects on rejection, resilience, and why your self-worth isn’t defined by reviewer two. Academic critique hurts—but it doesn’t define you.
Blog – Staying Ahead of the PhD Panic Curve
Emily Spencer shares how she's managing ethics delays, childcare, and deadlines in her PhD and staying ahead of the PhD panic curve.
Blog – Reflections on Thesis Writing
PhD student Ajantha Abey shares candid reflections on thesis writing, offering invaluable insights and practical advice for navigating the final PhD stretch.
Blog – Building a Personal Brand
Personal branding isn't about self-promotion. Adam Smith shares how clarity and consistency can help researchers get noticed for the right reasons.
Blog – AI and BlueSky: Embracing the Everyday Tech of Academia
New blog by Rebecca Williams on using AI, apps, and social platforms to boost your research life — from Zotero to BlueSky, she’s got tips to try today!
Blog – How to Network and Advice for Making the First Move
In this blog Adam Smith provides practical, honest advice for building you network and research connections. Start small, stay human, & send that first message
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 – 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 – Draft Zero to Hero
Rebecca Williams shares insights on overcoming writing struggles, embracing messy first drafts, and collaborating to refine research papers.
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!

