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 – 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
Blog – Technology to Help Care
Danielle Wilson from the UK Dementia Research Institute discusses her passion of tech research and its ability to augment care
Blog – The benefits and drawbacks of accessing post-diagnostic support remotely
The COVID-19 pandemic caused shift from accessing post-diagnostic dementia support in-person, to remotely - Is this a good thing? Blog by Thaïs Caprioli
Blog – Advances in digital cognitive assessments for dementia diagnosis
In this blog Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali discusses how technology is being used to advance cognitive assessments used in dementia diagnosis.
Blog – Communicating Smart Technology
What is the point of tech if people can't use it? Pippa is a Speech & Lanuage Therapist helping to get better input into design & delivery of dementia tech
Blog – Nanomedicine in Dementia Research
Are nanoparticles 100-10,000 times smaller than a human cell be the answer to crossing the blood-brain barrier? New blog from Dr Sam Moxon
Blog – Digital phenotyping in dementia and neurology: we have questions
Digital interactions could be useful for tracking health & brain disorders. But is it that simple? Dr Alan Cronemberger Andrade discusses Tech & Dementia Week.
Blog – Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality isn't just for fun gaming, it's increasingly used as a valuable tool for dementia researchers. Hannah Hussain explore for tech & dementia week
Blog – Finding your cheer team: Maintaining resilience in academia
How do you feel when your colleagues win grants? Is it okay to celebrate success, when others around you are less fortunate? Anna has been conflcted
Blog – The importance of lived experience in research
Dr Gaia Brezzo discusses the importance of involving and engaging people with lived experience of disease in research, and her recent experience.
Blog – Hello imposter syndrome my old friend
Do you doubt your talents & accomplishments and have an internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud... this is normal and Beth Eyre discusses
Blog – Going on my own: Being my own boss for my new fellowship
Stepping out on your own doesn't have to be scary, if you got this far, you're ready. Dr Anna Volkmer discusses her new found research freedom.
Blog – Innovative long-term care for dementia
There are almost 14,500 Care Homes in England, Dr Clarissa Giebel has been working with their Dutch counterparts to see how the two approaches to care differ.
Blog – Is Leadership Important In Science?
Dr Yvonne Couch talks about leadership in research, exploring different styles and approaches and how you might apply them.
Blog – Writing my first grant application
Kam just wrote her first grant application (well not really her first) and in this blog she descrives how she went about it, and shares her tips
Blog – Are We Entering a “Golden Age” of Dementia Research
Dr Sam Moxon, from University of Manchester gives us a potted history lesson of Alzheimer's Disease and drug treatments from 600AD to 2022
Blog – Teaching as an ECR, why take the time to do it?
Dr Gaia Brezzo explores how her joint research-teaching experience helped her as an ECR, and provides a few tips on teaching.
Blog – Two–photon microscopy: How can it be used in Alzheimer’s research?
Blog from Beth Eyre, exploring how two-photon microscopy can be used to help us learn more about Alzheimer’s disease & inform research.
Blog – A guide to Mixed Methods research design
Blog covering the things you’ll need to think about when planning a mixed methods research study - quick guide from Nathan Stephens
Blog – The outcome: My NIHR Advanced Fellowship App
Anna has some big news... and some top tips for anyone applying for an NIHR Advanced Fellowship, essential reading for Clinical Academics
Blog – World Alzheimer Report 2022, Post-diagnostic care or lack thereof
Dr Clarissa Giebel has been reading the Alzheimer's Disease International World Alzheimer's Report 2022 and in this blog she shares her thoughts
Blog – Angiogenesis
New blog from Dr Yvonne Couch providing a history of angiogenesis, and how after brain injury and in old age this may contribute to brain health.
Blog – Dr Gaia Brezzo Introduction
We welcome Dr Gaia Brezzo, Research Fellow at the UK Dementia Research Institute to our team of regular bloggers learn more about her and plans for her blog
Blog – From postdoc to lecturer, my first six months
Six months ago Kamar started a new position as lecturer in biomedical science in this blog, she shares her experience of the first six months of lectureship.
Blog – Physical Activity & Dementia
Blog from Nathan Stephens providing a brief introduction to the evidence base on physical activity and dementia, and exploring his only work on interventions.
Blog – Why should you apply to be an ISTAART Ambassador?
Beth Eyre talks about her experiences as an ISTAART Ambassador and the brilliant benefits the programme could bring for you.
Blog – Medicines Management in Dementia
Getting medicine use “right” has the potential to not only improve patient outcomes but also contribute to patient safety, Hannah Hussain explores
Blog – The Importance of Public Trust in Science
In this blog Dr Sam Moxon talks about the dangers of scientific misconduct and the importance of ethics and integrity in research.
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