Emily Spencer - Unexpected Snags and Small Wins as a PhD Mum

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

--

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