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 – Apathy Research: Why Should We Bother?
Did you know, Apathy affects over 90% of people with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia? Rebecca Williams discusses the topic and her research.
Blog – The Impact of a Paper
Does the number of papers you write = promotion? Yvonne looks at the journal industry, impact and connections to your career - it may influence your next paper
Blog – Sharing dementia knowledge and support with other countries
Publishing your research findings in journals isn't the only way you can share what you discover through your research. Dr Clarissa Giebel explains in this blog
Blog – Introduction to Psychometrics
Hannah Hussain provides an introduction to psychometrics after using them in her own work for outcome development and validation.
Blog – Dementia Research and Advocacy
There are many ways in which you can use your research and your knowledge to advocate. Dr Aida Suárez-Gonzalez talks about advocacy hoping it inspires you too
Blog – Moving four-ward; could a 4-day working week work in academia?
Do you need to work smarter and harder to succeed in academia? Or just smarter? Dr Gaia Brezzo talks about a new way of working
Blog – From Journal Clubs to Letter Writing for ECRs: Why and How
Dr Timothy Daly encourages ECRs to build on their existing journal clubs to take the step towards publishing letters as part of their professional development
Blog – My Path to an NIHR ARC Dementia Fellowship
Connor has been awarded an NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Dementia Fellowship, in tihs blog he talks us through his experience of applying.
Blog – Every penny counts, small grant applications
Dr Anna Volkmer may be a Senior Researcher, but she still applies for small grants and she thinks you should too, and here is why...
Blog – Should we get paid for peer review?
The academic publishing industry is more profitable than the music industry... so should you get paid for peer review? Dr Sam Moxon discusses
Blog – Using immunohistochemistry to understand disease pathology
Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali provides an introduction to immunohistochemistry and how it is used to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases post-mortem
Blog – Gender equity in science & celebrating women’s achievements
It's International Women’s Day. Dr Clarissa Giebel highlights the many things fantastic women have achieved, and where we're at with gender equality.
Blog – How to find a Postdoc Job
If you're finishing your PhD, and not ready to apply for Junior Fellowships... you may need to find a Postdoc Job. Beth Eye has some suggestions.
Blog – Find the right journal for your research & avoid predators
Adam Smith takes us through how to spot predatory publishers (and that that means) and provides some ideas on how to find the right journal for your work
Blog – How Being Seen Might Matter in Science
In this blog Dr Yvonne Couch talks about the importance of having a reputation in science, and how it might be possible to build one.
Blog – Vitamins, Food Supplements & Dementia
How do vitamins and food supplements impact the brain? Pharmacist and PhD Student Hannah Hussain takes us through their role.
Blog – 5 things I wish I knew before starting my PhD
Anna Marie Rosická has learned a few lessons since starting her PhD, and in this blog she shares them, so that you can benefit from her hindsight
Blog – How to Navigate a Job Switch
Sam started a new job this month, which we know can be stressful, in this blog he writes about how you can make transition easier.
Blog – To cross or not to cross the picket line: striking as an ECR
Dr Gaia Brezzo talks through the University & College Union / Universities dispute over pensions, pay & conditions and the dilemma of for her and ECRs affected.
Blog – Am I in “Career Drift Mode?”
Sometimes you need to ask yourself some tough questions, are you happy? Is your career on track? At the end of 2022 Dr Connor Richardson did just that.
Blog – Writing a paper with lots of co-authors
Dr Anna Volkmer shares her tips on writing a manuscript with multiple co-authors, a daunting process for any early career researcher.
Blog – Public Involvement & Engagement in Research
Tips from an expert! Dr Clarissa Giebel shares some simple and easy to follow pointers to deliver good Patient & Public Involvement in your research.
Blog – Building positive narratives about dementia
Exciting news... Dr Aida Suárez-Gonzalez was awarded UCL Global Engagement Funds to co-produce positive narratives about dementia - find out more in her blog.
Blog – Peer Reviewing Grant Applications
Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali recently had her first experience as a grant reviewer (no pressure). In this blog she shares her experience, to help new reviewers.
Blog – Writing a fellowship application
Coming to the end of your PhD? So is Beth Eyre, and in this blog she talks about what she has learned making her first fellowship application.
Blog – Procrastination the Thief of Time
Dr Yvonne Couch is a big procrastinator. In this blog she talks about why, if it’s a bad thing… and if anything can be done about it.
Blog – The value of academic travel & face-to-face networking
Research needs to be international and collaborative, in this blog Dr Clarissa Giebel talks about her recent trip to Australia and the benefits it brought.
Blog – Why ECRs need Good Mentors
In this blog Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali shares her experience of being part of two different mentoring schemes and discusses why ECRs need good mentors.
ISTAART Blog – Fostering inclusivity in dementia research and teams
ISTAART Partnering with Research Participants PIA Blog. Dr Diana Karamacoska shares tips on making research accessible, inclusive & equitable (also in Spanish)
Blog – Outcomes matter!
Hannah Hussain talks through how we measure 'health outcomes', important when evaluating if the treatment or intervention was successful.
Blog – Evaluation of Singing & Dancing Interventions for Dementia
Delighted to welcome Dr Megan Polden, Postdoc Researcher at University in Liverpool. In her 1st blog Megan talks us through her work and this exciting new study
Blog – Advance planning for research participation
Could advanced research directives be helpful in overcoming the barriers to research participation? Dr Victoria Shepherd has been taking a look at the problem.
Blog – Top Tips for Veganuary
There is an increasing body of evidence to support the benefits of a plant-based diet. In this blog Dr Sam Moxon shares tips for anyone partaking in Veganuary.
Blog – Reflections for 2022; another year of science
Dr Gaia Brezzo reflects on her careers and work in 2022 , and talks about the exciting science she has planned for the coming new year.
Blog – New Year’s Resolutions
Not agrees New Year's resolutions are a good thing, but if you need a kick start there are a few simple rules to follow, Adam Smith shares in this blog
Blog – Avoiding Burnout: Taking stock(ings) over Christmas
It's time to pause and reflect on the important things around us. Dr Clarissa Giebel is taking stock to get ready for 2023
Blog – Prioritising
Dr Yvonne Couch breaks down the challenge of career prioitise and how they can (can will need to) change throughout your career.
Blog – My Research Career from Biochemistry to Biostatistics
Dr Connor Richardson brings us part two of his introduction, taking us through how one step leads to another in his career to date.
Blog – Addressing Market Failure: why we can’t let the market win
Market failure is when market forces cause poorer societal welfare - So is dementia care a market failure? Nathan Stephens discusses
Blog – Looking back on 2022: A year of change
In his last blog for 2022, Dr Sam Moxon reflects on the year and shares a personal and professional perspective on events
Blog – INTERDEM Taskforce exploring Inequalities in Care
Dr Clarissa Giebel reports back from the Alzheimer Europe Conference and a new effort from INTERDEM to research Inequalities in Dementia Care
Blog – Should failure be normalised in academia?
Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali had a bad few months, and in this blog she asks the question: should failure be normalised in academia?
Blog – Early career research events: to attend or not to attend?
How do you decide what events to, or not to attend? Is attending worthwhile? Dr Gaia Brezzo discusses in this months blog
Blog – Stem Cells
Stem Cells, or specifically induced pluripotent stem cells. what they are, why people use them & what's their use in dementia research, Dr Yvonne Couch explores
Blog – Embedding PPI in our ReadClear Tech Trial
Dr Aida Suárez-Gonzalez created the ReadClear app to support reading in people with PCA, in this blog she talks to colleagues about PPI & Co-production
Blog – Connor Richardson Introduction
New blogger Dr Connor Richardson from Newcastle University introduces himself and his work in the first of his regular blogs.
Blog – Designing and distributing questionnaires
Nathan has recently been developing questionnaires (for the first time) and in this blog he hopes to help others avoid his self-inflicted misfortune
Blog – BIG Data
Dr Yvonne Couch looks at BIG Data, its potential to improve provide insights into the causes and outcomes of disease, and enhanced prediction & prevention

