Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Lindsey Sinclair - What does it mean to be Perfect?

Dr Lindsey Sinclair narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Lindsey reflects on the pressure researchers feel to strive for perfection in their work. Drawing parallels with Donald Winnicott’s “good enough” concept in parenting, she argues that the relentless pursuit of perfection can hinder progress, damage wellbeing, and leave work unfinished. Instead, she suggests focusing on excellence and recognising that imperfection is part of the scientific process, allowing for better balance and sustainability in research careers.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-what-does-it-mean-to-be-perfect/
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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
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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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Lesley Cousland - A Career from Nursing to Research

Lesley Cousland, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, Lesley reflects on her journey from a childhood dream of nursing to a career in dementia research. She describes her shift from general to mental health nursing, her early glimpse into research, and her current role as a Clinical Studies Officer with the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. Lesley highlights the importance of inclusive research, the challenges and rewards of involving care homes, and the belief that research is ultimately about improving lives.
 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-a-career-from-nursing-to-research/
#DementiaResearch #ClinicalTrials #Research #CareHome #ENRICHScotland
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Lesley Cousland is a Clinical Studies Officer with the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network and ENRICH Scotland. A retired mental health nurse with over 40 years’ experience, she now supports research in care homes, ensuring residents and staff help shape studies that matter to them.
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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 - The Myth of the Neutral Scientist

Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, Jodi examines the long-held belief that good science requires neutrality, questioning whether true objectivity is possible. Drawing on her work in dementia research, she reflects on how researchers inevitably bring their identities, experiences, and values into their work. Rather than seeing this as a threat to credibility, she argues for embracing reflexivity — recognising our positionality to ask better questions, address hidden biases, and strengthen research. For Jodi, humanity is not a weakness in science, but an essential part of doing it well.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-myth-of-the-neutral-scientist/
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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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Emily Spencer - Letting Go of Mum Guilt

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, Emily reflects on her experience as a working parent balancing a PhD with raising an energetic toddler. Initially confident in her childcare arrangement, she recently realised that juggling work during nap times while caring for her son on non-childcare days was leaving her exhausted and guilty. Emily describes the challenges of managing both roles, the comments that made her reassess her situation, and the decision to add an extra childcare day. She concludes that seeking more support will benefit both her and her son, offering the headspace needed to be a better parent and researcher.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-letting-go-of-mum-guilt/
#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia
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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.
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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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Julie Scott - How I Got into Clinical Research: My Career Journey

Julie Scott narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Julie reflects on her varied career in care, from working in dementia wards to joining clinical research at 55. She shares how her skills evolved, the challenges of adapting to new procedures and technology, and the rewards of supporting volunteers in trials. Julie also highlights her team’s work across dementia and other neuroprogressive diseases, the importance of adaptability, and the impact research can have on participants’ wider health.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-i-got-into-clinical-research-my-career-journey/
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Julie Scott is a Research Nurse with over 35 years’ NHS experience, now working with the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network in NHS Grampian. She supports commercial and non-commercial clinical trials across hospital and community settings, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding of dementia. Outside work, she enjoys walking, gardening, cinema trips, and time with her family.
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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 Peter Connelly - Patients, Practice and the Research Mindset

Dr Peter Connelly narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Dr Peter Connelly shares his journey through clinical research, starting with a student dissertation on cimetidine and stretching across decades in psychiatry and old age mental health. He discusses how each step, from early studies to NHS-led drug trials, taught him to question assumptions, listen carefully to patients, and seek better outcomes. His reflections offer valuable lessons for clinicians and researchers alike on integrating curiosity, service design, and rigour into everyday practice.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-patients-practice-and-the-research-mindset/
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Dr Peter Connelly is a retired Old Age Psychiatrist who spent much of his career in Tayside, helping to establish clinical trials for dementia and neuroprogressive disorders in Scotland. Now working with the Scottish Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, he combines professional insight with personal experience as a former carer. In retirement, he enjoys music, golf, and time with his grandchildren.
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
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Victoria Gabb - Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement in the MCI Core Outcomes Study

Victoria Gabb, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.In this blog, Victoria Gabb reflects on her experience of embedding patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) into the MCI Core Outcomes Study. She describes the challenges and successes of involving people with lived experience throughout the research process, from shaping research questions to co-developing study materials and ensuring more inclusive design. The blog highlights the broader value of PPIE in dementia research, such as improving communication, boosting inclusion, and building meaningful relationships with communities. It also stresses the need for researchers to report and recognise PPIE contributions more effectively in publications.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-mci-core-outcomes-study-patient-public-involvement/
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Victoria Gabb is a Senior Research Associate in Sleep & Dementia Neuroscience at University of Bristol. Victoria is working on her PhD through publication and she is currently working on an important project to develop ‘Core Outcomes’ for Mild Cognitive Impairment. Her blogs on dementia researcher will be a way of sharing the progress of her work, to improve transparency, share the process and as a way to involve others - sharing the work, the process, and life in the pursuit of 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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Marian Montanha - How We Use Biomarkers in Dementia Trials

Marian Montanha, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, Marian explains how biomarkers are used in dementia trials, particularly in diagnosing and tracking Alzheimer’s disease. She reflects on how current diagnostic tools fall short and explores how biomarker research could enable earlier and more accurate detection. Marian also shares her experience supporting participants in these studies, highlighting both the burden and the value of their involvement. It’s a clear-eyed look at a tool that, while not perfect, is reshaping dementia research and treatment pathways.Find the original text, and narration here on our website.https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-we-use-biomarkers-in-dementia-trials/--
 
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
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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Dr Lindsey Sinclair - Why does inclusion matter at scientific conferences?

Dr Lindsey Sinclair narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Lindsey reflects on her experiences attending conferences and the growing efforts to make them more inclusive. From accessible venues and quiet spaces to virtual options and support for parents, she highlights positive changes while urging organisers to go further. Drawing on personal anecdotes and practical examples, the blog argues that inclusive conferences aren’t just fairer—they improve the quality of science itself.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-why-does-inclusion-matter-at-scientific-conferences/
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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