Dementia Researcher Blogs

Hannah Hussain - What is statistical mapping?

Hannah Hussain narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Hannah's blog addresses the intricacies of statistical mapping, a technique essential to her work investigating the differences in quality of life assessments for people living with dementia as reported by themselves and their proxies. She discusses her approach to quantitative analysis and the challenges she faced in understanding and applying statistical mapping. The blog aims to clarify this complex technique and provide guidance to those who are beginning to explore this area of research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-what-is-statistical-mapping/
--
Hannah Hussain is a PhD Student in Health Economics at The University of Sheffield. As a proud third generation  migrant and British-Asian, her career path has been linear and ever evolving, originally qualifying as a Pharmacist in Nottingham, then Health Economics in Birmingham. Her studies have opened a world into Psychology, Mental Health and other areas of health, and with that and personal influences she found her passion for dementia.
--
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.
Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk  

Dr Anna Volkmer - Building blocks and PhD supervision skills

Dr Anna Volkmer, narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Anna details her evolution from a Speech and Language Therapist to a PhD supervisor, highlighting her unique approach to supervising students. With a background rich in clinical experience, she applies strategies akin to coaching, emphasising reflective questioning and empathic listening. This helps supervisees develop their own conclusions and coping strategies. Drawing on her experiences as a PhD student and early career researcher, Anna emphasises a collaborative and supportive supervisory style. She focuses on refining students' research, presentation, and writing skills, while encouraging independence and responsibility. Her blog reflects on the challenges and joys of supervising, her commitment to supporting students financially, and her efforts in building a research team with a goal to aid people with dementia and their families.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-building-blocks-and-supervision-skills/
--
Dr Anna Volkmer is a Speech and Language Therapist and researcher in Language and Cognition, Department of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London. Anna is researching Speech and language therapy interventions in language led dementia and was once voted scariest speech and language therapist (even her children agree).
--
If you would like to write your own blog drop us a line, we're always on the look out for new contributors to write about their research, careers + more dementiaresearcher@ucl.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.

Rebecca Williams - The Horror of P-Values

Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog Rebecca explores the challenges of using p-values in statistics, comparing their anxiety-inducing nature to horror movie jump scares. Critiquing the arbitrary 0.05 significance threshold, it suggests this leads to false results. Rebecca promotes Bayesian statistics as a more intuitive alternative, offering clearer interpretations and support for null hypotheses. Do you agree? Rebecca argues for the importance of recognising null results in research, aligning with the move towards open science.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-horror-of-p-values/
--
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.

Dr Sam Moxon - Feeling Overwhelmed? Get away from your desk!

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Sam's blog addresses the familiar struggle of feeling overwhelmed by work, particularly in demanding fields like academia, industrial research, and medicine. He candidly shares his own experiences with managing a heavy workload, including sorting multiple papers and dealing with grant deadlines, while trying to maintain lab research. Sam emphasises the importance of self-care and taking breaks, drawing on a personal anecdote where a walk in a green space significantly alleviated his stress and anxiety. He notes the evolutionary benefits of nature in inducing calmness and the necessity of stepping away from the desk to maintain well-being and productivity. The blog serves as a reminder that taking time for oneself is not only beneficial but essential in preventing burnout and maintaining mental clarity, especially in high-pressure environments.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-feeling-overwhelmed-get-away-from-your-desk/
--
Dr Sam Moxon is a biomaterials Research Fellow at University of Birmingham. His expertise falls on the interface between biology and engineering. His PhD focussed on regenerative medicine and he now works on trying to develop 3D bioprinting techniques with human stem cells, so that we better understand and treat degenerative diseases. Outside of the lab he hikes through the Lake District and is an expert on all things Disney.
--
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.

Beth Eyre - How to make your PhD application stand out

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
To make your PhD application stand out, Beth advises crafting a detailed academic CV that highlights specific interests and experiences relevant to the PhD, and supplementing it with a personal statement that conveys genuine enthusiasm for the subject. She emphasises the importance of demonstrating this interest through actions like attending webinars or joining professional societies, such as ISTAART for Alzheimer’s research. Sharing pertinent research experience and expressing a clear rationale for wanting to work in a particular lab or university are also key to differentiating your application from others.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-to-make-your-phd-application-stand-out/
--
Dr (pending minor amendments) Beth Eyre is a Postdoctoral Researcher at The University of Sheffield, researching Neurovascular and cognitive function in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease. Beth has a background in psychology, where she gained her degree from the University of Leeds. Inside and outside the lab, Beth loves sharing her science and in her blogs, she discusses her work, career and shares lessons she learns as she navigates life as an early career researcher.
--
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. Enjoy listening? We're always on the look out for new contributors, if you would like to write and narrate your own blog - drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk. 
Don't forget to also listen to our fortnightly podcast, just look for Dementia Researcher in your podcast app.

Dr Clarissa Giebel - Raising awareness of dementia with cartoons

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Clarissa remembers Tony Husband, Private Eye cartoonist and dementia awareness advocate. Tony used his personal experience and artistic prowess to create touching cartoons about his father's dementia, educating and resonating with many. His work lives on in his books and the hearts of the dementia community. Clarissa reflects on Tony's impact and his creative approach to raising awareness. Join us in honouring his contribution to dementia care and understanding.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-raising-awareness-of-dementia-with-cartoons/
--
Dr Clarissa Giebel is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool and NIHR ARC North West Coast. Clarissa has been working in dementia care research for over 10 years focusing her research on helping people with dementia to live at home independently and well for longer, addressing inequalities that people with dementia and carers can face. Outside of her day work, Clarissa has also organised a local dementia network - the Liverpool Dementia & Ageing Research Forum, and has recently started her own podcast called the Ageing Scientist.
--
If you would like to write your own blog drop us a line, we're always on the look out for new contributors to write about their research, careers + more dementiaresearcher@ucl.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.

Adam Smith - Critical Roles That Fuel Clinical Trials

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Adam underscores the vital but often overlooked roles that Research Nurses, Clinical Trial Practitioners, and other Leaders and coordinators play in clinical trials. Drawing from his years at UCL and the NIHR, Adam points out that the shortage of these key professionals is could hinder the progress in dementia teatments. As new trials for Alzheimer's are on the horizon, Adam argues that filling these roles is essential for translating lab discoveries into patient benefits.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-critical-roles-that-fuel-clinical-trials/
--
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.
--
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.

Dr Connor Richardson - How is working from home affecting research culture in universities?

Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Discover the complexities and implications of the work-from-home trend in the academic research landscape through Connor's insightful blog. As someone deeply embedded in data science (which lends itself to home working), Connor weighs the pros and cons of remote work, particularly its impact on university research culture. The blog explores the beneficial aspects, including flexibility, cost-saving, and inclusivity. Yet, it also unflinchingly tackles the drawbacks such as isolation, loss of networking opportunities, and the nuanced inequalities that arise, especially for early career researchers. Engaging and comprehensive, this blog is a must-read for anyone invested in the future of academic research. Whether you're considering remote work or already a remote work veteran, you'll find this examination both thorough and thought-provoking.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-is-working-from-home-affecting-research-culture-in-universities/
--
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.
--
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.

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Recent advances in Alzheimer’s treatments: Game-changers or false hope?

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In Kamar's latest blog post, the recent advances in Alzheimer's treatments are put under the microscope. While some herald these new drugs as breakthroughs, the blog questions the extent of their effectiveness and safety. Drawing on data and firsthand experience, it explores whether these treatments truly offer hope or merely fuel false expectations. A must-read for those seeking a balanced view on Alzheimer's research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-alzheimers-treatments-game-changers-or-false-hope/
--
Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Teesside University & Affiliate Researcher at Glasgow University. In addition to teaching, Kamar is exploring how neuroinflammation following traumatic brain injury contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases that lead to dementia. Having first pursued a career as an NHS Psychologist, Kamar went back to University in Durham to look at rodent behavioural tasks to completed her PhD, and then worked as a regional Programme Manager for NC3Rs.
--
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.