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

In this blog, Yvonne reflects on the real experience of running a scientific conference—from forgotten sponsor needs to malfunctioning microphones and missing PowerPoints. With humour and honesty, she recounts the unpredictable tasks that continue long after the planning ends. Her candid insights capture the chaos, exhaustion, and eventual pride that come with pulling off a successful academic event.

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-running-a-conference/

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Dr Yvonne Couch is a Research 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.

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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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Bernie McInally narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In this blog, Bernie reflects on the often-overlooked area of lone worker safety in research. Drawing on 25 years of experience as a Community Psychiatric Nurse and Clinical Studies Officer, he explores the evolution of safety systems — from pegboards and coded texts to modern digital tools. The blog examines the evidence behind “Bring Your Own Device” policies, showing how familiarity, simplicity, and trust can make lone worker procedures safer, more efficient, and better aligned with real-world practice.

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-research-and-the-lone-worker/

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Bernie McInally is a Clinical Studies Officer at NHS Lothian and the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. Bernie's background is in Nursing, working in Mental Health and with Older People. He retired from full time NHS clinical work, and is now back working in Clinical Research supporting delivery of the Enabling Research in Care Homes (ENRICH) Scotland. He is passionate about research delivery, and opening access to people in all communities.

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Enjoy listening and reading our blogs? We're always on the look out for new contributors, drop us a line and share your own research and careers advice dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with the NIHR, 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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Denise Grassick-Munro, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

Carers’ lived experience provides unique insights that help shape dementia research and ensure studies stay relevant to real life. Denise Grassick-Munro explores how carers contribute through Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), supporting everything from clinical trials to co-designing resources. Their expertise enhances understanding, communication, and impact, bridging the gap between science and daily care. Carers and researchers working together create more compassionate, effective, and practical research outcomes.

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

Denise Grassick-Munro is Patient and Public Engagement Officer for the NRS Neuroprogressive & Dementia Network in Scotland. She works to ensure people with lived experience shape dementia and neuroprogressive research. With a background in psychology and science communication, Denise is passionate about collaboration and inclusive research. Outside work, she enjoys music, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Find Denise on LinkedIn

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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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Dr Becky Carlyle, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

In this blog, Becky reflects on her experiences with fellowship applications, offering advice on writing, feedback, interviews, and resilience. She highlights the importance of engaging a broad audience, listening to feedback, and preparing a clear, focused interview presentation. With lessons drawn from both success and rejection, she encourages applicants to seek support, demonstrate independence, and approach the process with persistence.

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

Dr Becky Carlyle is an Alzheimer's Research UK Senior Research Fellow at University of Oxford, and has previously worked in the USA. Becky writes about her experiences of starting up a research lab and progressing into a more senior research role. Becky's research uses mass-spectrometry to quantify thousands of proteins in the brains and biofluids of people with dementia. Her lab is working on various projects, including work to compare brain tissue from people with dementia from Alzheimer’s Disease, to tissue from people who have similar levels of Alzheimer’s Disease pathology but no memory problems. Becky is also a mum, she runs, drinks herbal tea's and reads lots of books. Find Becky on LinkedIn

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

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.

--

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Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website.

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-navigating-digital-fatigue-and-techno-resistance/

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Dr Jodi Watt is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Glasgow. Jodi's academic interests are in both healthy ageing and neurodegenerative diseases of older age, and they are currently working on drug repurposing for dementia. Previously they worked on understanding structural, metabolic and physiological brain changes with age, as measured using magnetic resonance imaging. As a queer and neurodiverse person, Jodi is also incredibly interested in improving diversity and inclusion practices both within and outside of the academic context.

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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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Professor Naaheed Mukadam, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

In this blog, Naaheed examines the many inequalities in dementia across age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, and other factors. She highlights how these inequalities affect prevention, diagnosis, and care, while also noting promising interventions that aim to close these gaps. The piece underscores the urgent need for fairer, more inclusive dementia services and research participation..

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-understanding-inequalities-in-dementia/

#DementiaResearch

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Naaheed Mukadam trained as a psychiatrist and is now Professor of Dementia Studies at UCL. She researches inequalities in dementia diagnosis, treatment and care, while also working as a consultant psychiatrist. Outside work, she sings, reads, and collects more books than she probably needs.

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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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Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In this blog Adam explores the link between music and focus, blending science with personal experience to create a reliable study playlist. He explains why lyrics distract, how tempo influences concentration, and the value of structure in building habits. His playlist, built around ambient piano, lo-fi instrumentals, and calming endings, has become a ritual that signals time to work. The blog encourages readers to experiment with sounds that suit their own study style.

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-perfect-study-playlist/

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Adam Smith was born in the north, a long time ago. He wanted to write books, but ended up working in the NHS, and at the Department of Health. He is now Programme Director in the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research (which probably sounds more important than it is) at University College London. He has led a number of initiatives to improve dementia research (including this website, Join Dementia Research & ENRICH), as well as pursuing his own research interests. In his spare time, he grows vegetables, builds Lego & spends most of his time drinking too much coffee and squeezing technology into his house.

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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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