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Discover the Path to Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Research.

This session is tailored for health and social care professionals eager to learn more about MND, its significance, and the critical need for further research. You'll hear from leading experts on the collaborative efforts between the MND Association and NIHR, focusing on Doctoral and Advanced Fellowships. Get an in-depth look at these opportunities and explore how they can set you on a path toward impactful research.

Funding call info:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/funding-calls/?fwp_funders_facet=national-institute-for-health-and-care-research&fwp_research_type_facet=fellowship

🎤 Hosted by Adam Smith

Guests:

Dr Sophie Nyberg (MND Association)
Tom Szczerbicki (Programme Manager, NIHR Academy)
Faheem Makda (Senior Programme Manager, NIHR Academy)
Dr Rachel Dwyer (Senior Programme Manager, NIHR Academy)

Special advice from Dr Esther Hobson, a previous Doctoral Research fellowship holder and Current member of the review board,

📅 This session includes a Q&A for direct interaction with the experts, insights from an established grant holder, and practical guidance for aspiring researchers. Whether you’re looking to specialise in MND or explore your next research step, this event is your gateway.

Useful resources:

Blog posts around fellowship applications :
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/blog/what-makes-nihr-doctoral-fellowship-application-excellent
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/blog/common-characteristics-great-fellowship-application

NIHR research career funding programmes: Opportunities for different levels.
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/research-career-funding-programmes

#motorneuronedisease #mnd  @UKMNDRI   @MndscotlandOrgUk   @NIHRtv   @mndassoc 

00:00:00 Introductions
00:03:04 Sophie Nyberg - about MND
00:12:38 Faheem Makda - about the Fellowships
00:19:42 Dr Esther Hobson - what we're looking for and application tips
00:30:07 Discussion and Q&A

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Victoria Gabb, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

Victoria’s latest blog provides an update on her team’s progress in developing a core outcome set for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) research. Building on their initial overview, this post discusses the methods used to ensure that the set includes the outcomes that matter most to patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers. The process involves an umbrella review of existing MCI studies, stakeholder interviews to capture diverse perspectives, and Delphi surveys to prioritise outcomes. Through these steps, the goal is to reach a consensus on a core outcome set that reflects the priorities of those impacted by MCI, supporting future research that addresses real-world needs.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-learning-from-experience-to-develop-mci-core-outcomes/

#mci
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Victoria Gabb is a Senior Research Associate in Sleep & Dementia Neuroscience at University of Bristol. Victoria is working on her PhD through publication and she is currently working on an important project to develop ‘Core Outcomes’ for Mild Cognitive Impairment. Her blogs on dementia researcher will be a way of sharing the progress of her work, to improve transparency, share the process and as a way to involve others - sharing the work, the process, and life in the pursuit of research. 

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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In this session we talk about the ups and downs and challenges of 'Returning to Research After a Career Break', mostly with a focus on Women's return after starting a family, but relavent to all senarios. Our speakers Dr Loukia Katsouri & Dr Claire Potter share their experiences and tips for others going through the same.

First broadcast in the Dementia Researcher Community - watch more recordings and join weekly sessions at:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

Returning to a research career after a career break (recognising that this is often after starting a family or period of care, or a job change) can be both exciting and daunting. Reconnecting with your networks and staying updated on the latest developments in your field can help the process. But what's it really like coming back? How do you do it, should you do it? In this week’s Salon our speakers share their experiences, and we hope you will join us to also share yours. Together we can support each other, talk through the challenges, find solutions and workout how things could be made better by the institutions we work for.

Speakers

Dr Loukia Katsouri - studies the molecular mechanisms of tau propagation in Alzheimer’s disease at University College London. She aims to understand how the presence of tau is affecting the spread and the severity of the disease. With her own experience of a career break, Loukia has valuable insights.

Dr Claire Potter is a Specialty Trainee in General Adult and Old Age Psychiatry and ICAT Fellow in Queen's University Belfast and Fulbright Student Awardee. Claire graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2013 and entered Psychiatry training in 2015 obtaining her MRCPsych in 2017. Claire had a career break in 2022, and has lived through the challenges of getting back to work.

Programme

The format of the event is a 30 minute livestream where the speakers will each present their thoughts on this topic for 10 minutes each, the host will then ask questions and the livestream will end. The speakers will then join the online chat and interact with the audience, answering questions and giving those who attended a chance to share their thoughts on the topic.

#academia #research #researchcareer #career #careeradvice

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Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In Connor's blog, he highlights the benefits of maintaining a research journal as a practical tool for tracking progress, managing emotions, and fostering personal growth. Far from being just a record of daily tasks, the journal serves as a "done list" that celebrates small achievements, providing motivation during long research processes. Dr Richardson also discusses the value of journaling for reflection, processing frustrations, and honing writing skills, which can make academic writing less daunting. Ultimately, he views journaling as a way to connect more deeply with his work and as a resource to better support his students.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-dear-diary-why-i-keep-a-research-journal/

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Dr Connor Richardson is a Neuro-epidemiology Research Associate (soon to be NIHR Research Fellow) in the Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute. Connor is the research statistician for the Cognitive Function and Ageing studies (CFAS) multi-centre population cohort. His research interest lies in using advanced statistical modelling and machine learning to measure dementia risk. Connor blogs about his research, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and sometimes his Pomapoo’s.

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, guest host Dr Megan Rose Readman from the University of Liverpool discusses the role of peer support and community in research careers. This session explores the importance of support networks at all career stages, from early career to senior roles. Megan is joined by three guests, each with experience in building and sustaining research communities specifically to support researchers working in all areas of Alzheimer's disease and all other forms of dementia, and neurodegeneration:

Adam Smith from Dementia Researcher, who discusses their global community, including the recent launch of a new app designed to connect researchers. @DementiaResearcher

Dr Oz Ismail from Alzheimer's Association and ISTAART, who provides insights into their professional society’s efforts to support Alzheimer’s research globally. @alzassociation

Josh Wright from Alzheimer’s Research UK, who explains the structure and benefits of their UK-wide network, especially for early-career researchers. @AlzheimersResearchUK
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Listeners will gain an understanding of how these communities function and the different forms of support available, from mentoring to practical resources. The episode also touches on how the pandemic has shifted peer support needs, with virtual communities becoming essential for many researchers.
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Five Top Tips from the show:

Seek Out Professional Networks: Engaging with professional societies, like ISTAART or Dementia Researcher, can provide access to a broad community of peers and experts, which is especially valuable if you're working in isolation or in a niche area.

Leverage Online Communities: Virtual communities offer a space to connect with others in your field, share resources, and find support—important for building connections, particularly when geographic location or funding constraints make in-person networking challenging.

Participate in Mentorship Opportunities: Many research networks offer mentorship programmes, often through dedicated platforms or apps, where you can find mentors or become one yourself, helping to navigate career stages or specific research challenges.

Engage in Journal Clubs and Special Interest Groups: Virtual journal clubs or topic-specific groups, as seen in Dementia Researcher’s app, allow researchers to discuss recent studies, share insights, and collaborate within specific research interests.

Use Peer Support to Improve Wellbeing: Peer support networks provide a safe space for discussing challenges and successes beyond research—such as mental health or career setbacks—offering a layer of personal support often needed in academic careers.
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Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

Essential links / resources mentioned in the show:

ISTAART - https://bit.ly/48E570N

Alzheimer's Research UK Network - https://bit.ly/3AKKXpf

Dementia Researcher Community App - https://bit.ly/3UJ2jd6
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Like what you see? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode .
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This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on social media:

http://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
http://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
http://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
http://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
http://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
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Download our new community app:
https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher
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Chapters

00:00:00 Introductions
00:04:00 The importance of community
00:19:23 Oz talks about ISTAART
00:28:45 Adam talks about Dementia Researcher Community App
00:39:46 Josh talks about the ARUK Network
00:45:39 Online vs In-person support
00:47:26 Community and Mentoring
00:51:20 What if you're an introvert
00:55:06 Just for fun.... team building & round-up

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Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

In her latest blog, Yvonne reflects on the pervasive impact of imposter syndrome in academia, particularly as a Principal Investigator (PI). She candidly shares her feelings of inadequacy, attributing her successes to luck and timing rather than skill, while confronting the competitive, often isolating nature of academic life. Yvonne explores the constant self-doubt that accompanies grant applications, lab work, and professional recognition, revealing the emotional toll this takes. Her insights will resonate with many researchers who, despite their achievements, continue to feel like "frauds" in their fields.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-imposter-syndrome-as-a-pi/

#imposter
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Dr Yvonne Couch is an Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Oxford. Yvonne studies the role of extracellular vesicles and their role in changing the function of the vasculature after stroke, aiming to discover why the prevalence of dementia after stroke is three times higher than the average. It is her passion for problem solving and love of science that drives her, in advancing our knowledge of disease. Yvonne writes about her work, academic life, and careers as she takes a new road into independent research @dr_yvonne_couch

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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In this session we talk about research study recruitment, specifically in the context of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Research - however, the issues discussed could be applied to all health research. We also talk about Join Dementia Research, a UK national service that can help!

First broadcast in the Dementia Researcher Community - watch more recordings and join weekly sessions at:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

The Dementia Researcher Salon is a weekly community webinar to discuss careers and research topics. These sessions combine livestreams, guest speakers and group online chat to exchange ideas, challenge, influence, inspire and educate.

Recruiting participants for dementia research studies is a critical step in advancing our understanding and treatment of the condition. Effective recruitment strategies are essential to ensure a diverse and representative sample of participants. This often involves collaboration with healthcare providers, utilisation of registries, and outreach to communities through various media. So where do you start? What can you do when recruitment simply fails? How do PhD students find people for their studies? Let's get into it in the Salon, here from our speakers and get your input.

Speakers

Sarah Griffiths - is a Senior Research Fellow at University College London with expertise in primary care based interventions development and evaluation, and qualitative research methods. Sarah's background is in speech and language therapy and aphasia research. For 14 years Sarah was a senior lecturer on a BSc Speech and Language Therapy course at Plymouth Marjon University. Much of her work involves research participants, and she spend a lot of time considering study recruitment.

Sophia Amenyah is a Registered Nutritionist, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Bournemouth University. She is principal investigator on three externally funded research projects. Sophia is an interdisciplinary researcher with expertise and experience in innovative quantitative and qualitative research methods. She has expertise in epigenetics, nutrigenomics, realist synthesis & evaluation, systematic reviews & meta-analysis, nutrition assessment, design and implementation of innovative digital tools.

BONUS! Charlotte Jones, Join Dementia Research Delivery Officer will be dropping by to talk about how the service could support your UK study recruitment.

Programme

The format of the event is a 30 minute livestream where the speakers will each present their thoughts on this topic for 10 minutes each, the host will then ask questions and the livestream will end. The speakers will then join the online chat and interact with the audience, answering questions and giving those who attended a chance to share their thoughts on the topic.

#dementiaresearch #studyrecruitment #dementia

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Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

For the past year Emily has been sharing her journey through pregnancy, maternity leave, and now the return to work! This month Emily shares the challenges and small victories she’s experienced since returning from maternity leave. With the academic year underway, Emily reflects on balancing her research with motherhood—navigating unexpected hurdles like last-minute childcare closures and the lingering self-doubt of revisiting past work. Despite the difficulties, she finds resilience in the support of friends and the flexibility to adjust her plans, learning that progress in academia doesn’t always need to be at full speed. Emily’s candid account highlights the complex yet rewarding journey of combining parenthood with doctoral study.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-unexpected-snags-and-small-wins-as-a-phd-mum/

#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia #MaternityLeave #Research

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Emily Spencer is a PhD Student at University College London looking at improving how GPs communicate with people with dementia and their family carers about their future care. Emily previous had a 5 year career break to pursue a career as a musician, and has previously undertaken research on improving the care people with dementia receive from their GP practice, as well as end-of-life and palliative care provision in the community. Emily is also a new mum and will be writing about her experiences navigating motherhood and a research career.

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://x.com/demrescommunity
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

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Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

Rebecca, explores the often-intimidating realm of computational modelling in neuroscience. She compares this complex field to a haunted house, where assumptions lurk in shadows, algorithms whisper in the background, and progress requires courage and persistence. Rebecca shares her journey from initially feeling lost in a world of complex mathematics to gradually mastering techniques that unlock deeper insights into brain function. Her blog encourages others to embrace the unknown, demystify the technical language, and make computational modelling more accessible for future researchers.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-dark-world-of-computational-modelling/
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Rebecca Williams is PhD student at the University of Cambridge. Though originally from ‘up North’ in a small town called Leigh, she did her undergraduate and masters at the University of Oxford before defecting to Cambridge for her doctorate researching Frontotemporal dementia and Apathy. She now spends her days collecting data from wonderful volunteers, and coding. Outside work, she plays board games, and is very crafty. @beccasue99

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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

--

Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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In this session we talk about the realities of 'What its really like doing a PhD'.

First broadcast in the Dementia Researcher Community - watch more recordings and join weekly sessions at:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

The Dementia Researcher Salon is a weekly community webinar to discuss careers and research topics. These sessions combine livestreams, guest speakers and group online chat to exchange ideas, challenge, influence, inspire and educate.

In this session we're going to demystify the PhD journey, discussing everything from the challenges of research and time management to the joys of discovery and academic contribution. Whether you're considering pursuing a PhD or are just curious about the process, this event will provide a realistic look at the daily life, struggles, and successes of PhD students across various disciplines. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from our brilliant speakers and from our wider Salon contributors - so if you've lived through the PhD, please attend anyway, because you can help other members of the Salon.

Speakers

Anna Mallach - holds a BSc in Neuroscience from King's College London and a MRes in Experimental Neuroscience from Imperial College London. During her BBSRC-funded PhD at UCL, Anna worked with Jennifer Pocock, Selina Wray and Thomas Piers to study microglia - neuron interactions using induced pluripotent stem cells. Her postdoctoral research focussed on applying spatial transcriptomics to resolve the cellular responses to Alzheimer's disease pathology to study dysfunctional cell-cell interactions working with Lorena Arancibia and Bart De Strooper.

Chris Poyner - works at the University of Birmingham and NIHR ARC West Midlands. He is leading on a project exploring life in rural areas of the West Midlands with dementia. Exploring how people living in these communities access healthcare and get a diagnosis, and how they are supported following diagnosis, and what could be done better, and how this differs from those living in urban areas. Chris did he PhD at Bournmouth and University of Stirling and finished in 2015.

Programme

The format of the event is a 30 minute livestream where the speakers will each present their thoughts on this topic for 10 minutes each, the host will then ask questions and the livestream will end. The speakers will then join the online chat and interact with the audience, answering questions and giving those who attended a chance to share their thoughts on the topic.

#phdlife #phdfunding #phdapplications #phd #phdinterview #phdprograms

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