Dementia Researcher Blogs

Jacqui Kerr narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog, Jacqui Kerr reflects on her career as a research nurse in dementia trials. She explains how the role bridges patient care and clinical research, from pre-screening and informed consent to administering study treatments and cognitive assessments. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, Jacqui highlights the importance...

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 focus...

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 high...

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...

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 desc...

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...

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 pati...

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...

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 supportin...

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 exam...

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog, Kam explores the disproportionate impact of dementia on women, examining both biological and social factors that heighten their risk. She discusses the underrepresentation of women in dementia research, the exclusion of females from clinical trials, and the additional caregiving burdens placed on women. The blog ma...

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog, Clíona shares reflections from the Hot Brain 3 conference, which examined the intersection of climate change and brain health. From the exacerbation of neurological conditions like Dravet syndrome and dementia during heatwaves, to emerging links between rising temperatures and preterm births, the event...

Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog, Rebecca Williams, opens up about the often-overlooked impact of periods on work and productivity. With a mix of personal reflection and scientific insight, she challenges the silence around menstruation in professional spaces. Highlighting the cognitive and emotional toll of PMS, she argues for more unde...

Dr Becky Carlyle, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog Becky, shares how her early struggles with statistics shaped her thinking on data presentation. She offers practical guidance to help researchers present their results in ways that are clear, open, and reliable. From visualising full distributions to showing raw data and model outputs, she explains how sm...

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this guest blog, Adam offers a view of what to expect from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2025. Drawing on past experiences, he outlines why this global event matters, what makes it unique, and how first-timers can make the most of it without becoming overwhelmed. From orientation lounges to poster sessio...

Professor Brian Lawlor narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog, Brian argues for a fundamental shift in how doctors approach dementia. Instead of seeing it solely as an incurable disease, he proposes a brain health framework that empowers clinicians to manage risks, prevent complications like delirium, reduce inappropriate medications, and support quality of life. By adopti...

Lesley Cousland, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog, Lesley makes a case for why care home communities must be fully included in research. Drawing on experience and examples from her work, she highlights the exclusion faced by residents and staff, not due to inability but because systems and assumptions make participation unnecessarily difficult. The blog...

Dr Yvonne Couch , narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog, Yvonne shares her experience of working with a coach to explore identity, confidence, and purpose in academia. Through a humorous and vulnerable lens, she outlines how coaching has helped her challenge ingrained behaviours, understand her motivations, and untangle self-worth from professional achievement...

Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog, Jodi Watt challenges the dominant narrative around dementia prevention. While lifestyle factors like diet and exercise are often emphasised, she argues these overlook deep-rooted structural inequalities. Jodi explores how factors such as poverty, racism, disability, housing, and access to healthcare sh...

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog Emily, writes about the exhausting reality of data collection in her dementia research. Working in GP surgeries to video record consultations, she reflects on the challenge of building trust, managing logistics, and staying composed while juggling the demands of parenting and long commutes. Though rewarding...

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this guest blog, Adam explores the persistent challenge of getting research findings into practice, especially in dementia care. Drawing on conversations from the Dementia Researcher podcast and community, he highlights the common frustrations researchers face when promising ideas stall after funding ends. Adam shares five practical...

Dr Lindsey Sinclair  narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog, Lindsey explores the role of courage in academic life. From the challenge of stepping into the spotlight to asking for help, she shares examples of bravery at all levels of research careers. Drawing from her own journey, personal, professional, and occasionally painful, she reminds us that many small acts of cour...

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog, Kam critically explores how research funding is currently awarded and argues that the process, while central to academic success, is fraught with subjectivity and bias. Drawing on her own experiences and wider evidence, she considers reforms such as blind reviewing, partial randomisation, and incentives for good re...

Dr Emma Law, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog, Emma explores why some people choose not to take part in dementia research. She looks at what might influence their decision, including misunderstandings, personal concerns, family pressure, and practical barriers. Emma offers respectful ways to respond, aiming to support informed choice while recognising th...

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog, Clíona explores the challenge of facing an uncertain future as her first postdoc contract nears its end. Choosing to take a career break for travel without a fixed plan in place, she reflects on her discomfort with uncertainty, the pressure of well-meaning questions from others, and the wider instabili...