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

In this blog, Yvonne examines how competition influences scientific work, using research on tenure, prestige, field evolution, and the pressures created by short funding cycles. She outlines how incentives in academia shape behaviour at every career stage and explains how systems geared toward rapid output and visible productivity can reshape what counts as valuable or creative work.

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-competition-in-science/

--

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.

--

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

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

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-this-is-not-a-goodbye-post-except-it-is-sort-of/

--

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.

--

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

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

Dr Rosie Ashworth, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

Dr Rosie Ashworth is a research psychologist and Patient and Public Involvement Lead at NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network and ENRICH Scotland.

--

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

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

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

--

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

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

Marian Montanha, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

Marian Montanha is a Clinical Studies Office in the NHS – Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network in Scotland. With a background in Psychology and a keen interest in Neuropsychology, Marian plays a vital role in clinical research, coordinating and managing clinical trials, ensuring smooth operations, and maintaining accurate records, while also promoting research and collaborating with clinical teams. Passionate about patient care, she is driven to help people maintain dignity, independence, and quality of life. Marian's top tip for ECRs? “You don’t know what you don’t know”. Find Marian on LinkedIn

--

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

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

Dr Tom Russ narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In this guest blog, Tom traces his path into clinical research, crediting the people who guided, inspired, and challenged him along the way. From his early days in psychiatry to leading national dementia research initiatives, he explores the lessons learned from mentors like Professor John Starr and others who shaped his academic and clinical outlook. The piece underscores the importance of supportive working cultures, mentorship, and the balance between independence and guidance in a research career.

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

https://communities.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/c/research-chat/when-i-think-about-how-i-got-into-clinical-da9b5827-eef3-4a06-ba3a-39cded10cc83

--

Dr Tom Russ is Reader in Old Age Psychiatry at The University of Edinburgh and Director of the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre. His research spans clinical and interdisciplinary dementia studies. He works to improve understanding and care for people living with dementia and their families.

--

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://x.com/demrescommunity https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

Dr Lindsey Sinclair narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.

In this blog, Lindsey reflects on the role of kindness in academia, questioning whether success and empathy can coexist. Drawing from personal experience as a psychiatrist and researcher, she shows how kindness, towards oneself and others, builds healthier teams, fosters trust, and strengthens research culture. From small gestures like a smile or a thank you to mentoring and supporting colleagues, her message is clear: kindness is not a weakness but a foundation for effective, ethical, and fulfilling academic life.

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-is-kindness-key-in-academic-life/

--

Dr Lindsey Sinclair is an Honorary Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and a Locum Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry. Her research explores the relationship between depression and dementia, combining lab work with epidemiology and genetics. Clinically, she works with older adults experiencing a wide range of mental health problems. Outside of work, she’s a keen baker and runner, and has a particular talent for creating ambitious birthday cakes.

Find Lindsey on LinkedIn

--

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://x.com/demrescommunity
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

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

In her latest blog, Emily reflects on the daily challenges of combining academic life with motherhood. Balancing the demands of a PhD, a new role, and parenting a spirited toddler, she explores how parenthood shapes her time, focus, and opportunities. Emily offers a candid look at the realities of structure, guilt, and compromise in both home and work life, while acknowledging the quiet determination that keeps her moving forward.

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

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-time-work-and-a-two-year-old/

#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia

--

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.

--

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://x.com/demrescommunity
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Join our community:

https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher