Dementia Researcher

🎯 Are you an early career researcher looking to strengthen your grant writing skills? Alzheimer's Research UK is offering a unique opportunity to observe their Grant Review Board online on 13th and 14th February. This is your chance to gain invaluable insights into how grants are reviewed and what makes an application stand out. 💡 What you’ll gain: - Insider knowledge of the decision-making process. - Tips for crafting competitive grant applications. - A deeper understanding of the peer-review system. This opportunity is ideal for final-year PhD students to senior fellows aiming to refine their grant applications and boost their chances of funding success. 🗓 Apply now – Deadline: 11th December (note applications may close early!) 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eCS8ARj2 Take your grant writing skills to the next level! #GrantWriting #ResearchFunding #EarlyCareerResearchers #DementiaResearch

📘 New Blog: Bringing Project Management into Your PhD by Adam Smith Managing a PhD research project is no small feat—it’s a complex journey involving data collection, analysis, time management, and resource planning. For many students, especially those new to research, this can feel overwhelming. But what if applying project management principles could make this journey smoother? In this blog, Adam Smith shares how PhD students can use basic project management tools and approaches to bring more structure and efficiency to their work. Drawing from his own experience, Adam discusses how tools like risk registers, timelines, and structured planning can help students organise their research, anticipate potential challenges, and maintain momentum. From setting clear milestones and managing risks to developing effective communication with supervisors, this blog offers valuable insights that could help students feel more in control of their research. Whether you’re just beginning your PhD journey or looking to refine your approach, these project management strategies could make a real difference. Explore Adam’s practical advice and see how you might apply these concepts to manage your PhD with less stress and more focus. https://lnkd.in/eebjPWsQ #PhDLife #ProjectManagement #AcademicSkills #ResearchTips #GradSchool #PRINCE2 #PhDTips #PhD

Thinking about staying in the same lab for a postdoc after completing your PhD? It’s a decision more early-career researchers are considering, and one that Dr Clíona Farrell has explored first-hand. In her latest guest blog for Dementia Researcher, Clíona shares the unique insights she gained by continuing her research journey in the same lab where she completed her PhD. While the continuity offered benefits – such as familiar colleagues, a known environment, and opportunities to wrap up lingering PhD publications – it also presented challenges. From overlapping responsibilities between thesis write-up and new postdoc duties to navigating perceptions about career progression, Clíona provides an honest look at the nuances of this transition. Whether you’re weighing up this option yourself or simply curious about the career paths of early-career researchers, Clíona’s reflections provide valuable food for thought. Check out her blog to see if staying put might be the right choice for your postdoc journey! https://lnkd.in/ezwnYnmG #PhDToPostdoc #EarlyCareerResearcher #AcademicLife #Postdoc #ResearchJourney #DementiaResearch

📢 New Blog and Project Update by Victoria Grace Gabb: Developing Core Outcomes for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Research Victoria shares progress in her journey to create a core outcome set for mild cognitive impairment research. In this second post of the series, she explores the methods her team is using to ensure the outcomes they identify are meaningful to those most affected: patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers. Building a robust core outcome set is essential in aligning research goals with real-world needs. Victoria and her team are taking a comprehensive approach by combining data from an umbrella review of existing studies with invaluable insights gathered from interviews with MCI stakeholders. This multi-stage process doesn’t just look at what has been done in the past—it actively integrates diverse perspectives to capture the outcomes that matter most to people with lived and professional experience of MCI. Through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys, her team will refine a “long list” of potential outcomes down to a consensus-driven core set, focusing on what should be measured in MCI studies. By involving participants across different backgrounds, they’re ensuring that future research will not only be scientifically sound but also deeply relevant to those it aims to support. This series offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at a carefully considered approach to patient-centred research. Follow along as Victoria and her team work towards a core outcome set that could reshape the landscape of MCI research, improving the quality and impact of clinical studies in this important area. 🌍💡 🧠 Read her latest blog post to learn more about the process and the progress so far! #DementiaResearch #CoreOutcomes #MCI #PatientCentredCare #ResearchInnovation https://lnkd.in/eSJ2jyxs

The importance of inclusivity in dementia research cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts the relevance and applicability of findings to diverse populations. In this workshop, in this salon session, we will critically examine the ethical dimensions and methodological challenges of engaging under-represented voices in our research efforts. By exploring how to effectively integrate these perspectives, we can enhance our understanding of dementia and its varied impacts across communities. This session aims to foster reflection, explore ways to overcome the challenges, and ensure research is truly inclusive. Join us in the Salon to hear from Dr Ece Bayram and Dr Karah Alexander who are to learn more about their work, and efforts to ensure inclusive research.

Exploring Fellowships & Future Research in Motor Neurone Disease Join our livestream on Friday, 15th November at 12.00pm, hosted by Dementia Researcher with the NIHR and MND Association. Tailored for healthcare professionals in all areas, and at all career stages. This event offers insights into Motor Neurone Disease, the latest research, its importance, and Research Fellowship opportunities. Hear from experts from the MNDA and NIHR, and explore Doctoral and Advanced Fellowships. The session includes a Q&A, insights from a grant holder, and guidance for aspiring researchers. Don’t miss this chance to advance your research career.

New Blog: Reflections on Co-production in Dementia Research 🔵 Dr Christine Carter, an Early Career Researcher, and @Chandrika Kaviraj, a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) contributor from Queen Mary University of London, share their insights on co-production in dementia research. Drawing from their experiences on the EQUATED project (Equality of Opportunity for Timely Diagnosis), their blog reflects on the complexities and nuances of effective co-production. They discuss the challenges of creating collaborative spaces that go beyond jargon and tokenism, emphasising the importance of mutual respect, flexibility, and authenticity. Key themes include: - Inclusive communication: How research language can create barriers and ways to foster clearer, more accessible dialogue. - Authentic engagement: The importance of researchers and PPI members bringing a part of themselves to the work to build trust. - Adaptable processes: The value of flexibility in co-production, respecting each person’s unique contributions and allowing projects to evolve naturally. - Support and mentorship: Reflections on how mentoring can help researchers better navigate the PPI process and improve collaboration. This blog offers a thoughtful look at what’s involved in creating meaningful partnerships in research, highlighting practical approaches for fostering genuine co-production. 👉 https://lnkd.in/e2ER2u2W #CoProduction #DementiaResearch #PPI #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearchCollaboration

📔 Why Keeping a Research Journal is a Game-Changer – Dr Connor Richardson’s Take 📔 In the fast-paced world of research, it's easy to lose sight of small daily wins. But Dr Connor Richardson, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Alzheimer's Society Dem Comm Research Fellow at the Newcastle University, makes a compelling case for keeping a research journal to stay grounded, motivated, and connected to one’s work. In his recent guest blog, he describes his journal as more than just a record – it’s a “done list” that celebrates progress, no matter how incremental. For Connor, a journal isn’t a rigid logbook; it’s a flexible, personal space to reflect on the ups and downs of research. It provides him with a place to offload frustrations, relive breakthroughs, and even strengthen his writing muscles by committing to jot down thoughts regularly. This practice has not only improved his own resilience but also enhanced his ability to mentor students, offering him insights into the challenges they face. Whether you’re deep in the world of academia or simply trying to stay organised in a complex project, a research journal can help shift your mindset. Instead of dwelling on what’s left undone, you focus on what’s been accomplished. It’s a simple practice with a powerful impact – allowing you to see growth over time and reinforcing the emotional journey that research often entails. If you’re looking for a tool to help you stay focused, boost your morale, and reflect on your journey, consider giving a research journal a go. Connor’s reflections serve as an inspiring reminder that sometimes, the small habit of daily writing can make a big difference. 🌱 #AcademicLife #ResearchJournal #DementiaResearcher #PersonalGrowth https://lnkd.in/ehxc_5XS

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