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Dementia Researcher Vodcast - Listening & Supporting Dementia Researchers
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Listening & Supporting Dementia Researchers

Dementia Researcher Vodcast

08/18/24

51m

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In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, we discuss the challenges and support needs of early career dementia researchers (ECRs) across Europe.

Our discussion centres on a recent study titled Supporting Early Career Dementia Researchers: Identifying Support Needs and Ways Forward via a European Study. The study sheds light on the unique difficulties faced by ECRs and offers practical recommendations to enhance professional journeys.

Speakers:

  • Adam Smith: Programme Director for Dementia Researcher and today's guest host.
  • Dr Charlèss Dupont: A postdoctoral researcher at Freie University in Brussels with a background in nursing and communication. Charlès's work primarily focuses on communication and palliative care in dementia.
  • Dr Pascale Heins: With a background in occupational therapy, Dr. Heins works at Maastricht University, where her research explores ways to support social life in people with dementia (Watch Pascale defend her PhD thesis)
  • Dr Sara Laureen Bartles: A postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and Maastricht University, Sarah's research spans chronic conditions management, including dementia.

Key Takeaways:

  • Funding and Career Support: The study identifies a significant need for better financial support mechanisms, particularly in the transition from PhD to postdoctoral roles.
  • Work-Life Balance: The pressures of academia often lead to an unhealthy work-life balance, with expectations set by supervisors. The study calls for more proactive support from institutions.
  • Mentoring and Training: The importance of mentoring and training, both within academia and for careers outside of it, is emphasised as a way to better prepare researchers for diverse career paths.
  • Dissemination: There is a need for improved dissemination strategies, ensuring that research findings reach a broader audience, including those directly affected by dementia.

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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.

Leave us a tip:

https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support

Follow us on social media:


Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

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Previous Episode

undefined - AAIC Day Four 2024
AAIC Day Four 2024

July 30, 2024

37m

In this podcast we share a few selected highlights from the last day of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) taking place in Philadelphia and Online, 28th July to 1st August.

Quang Tran, Science Communications Officer for Alzheimer's Research UK, guest hosts the show with expert panelists:

  • Dr Shea Andrews, Assistant Professor at University of California San Francisco working on Genetic Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Dr Joe Butler, NIHR ARC Research Fellow at University of Sunderland, interested in using techniques and paradigms from experimental psychology to learn about brain health.
  • Roberto A. Guzmán Hernández, ISTAART Ambassador, Graduate Research Assistant and PhD Student at Temple University working on the effects of aggregated tau on endothelial and cerebrovascular dysfunction

The AAIC brings together distinguished basic scientists, clinical researchers, early career investigators, clinicians and the care research community at the largest and most influential international conference on dementia science. They share theories and breakthroughs while exploring opportunities to accelerate work and elevate careers.

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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.

Leave us a tip:

https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support

Follow us on social media:


Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

Next Episode

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast, Dr Anna Volkmer leads a discussion on the importance of co-production in dementia research.

This episode explores what it truly means to involve people with lived experience, with tips on how to go about it, and our guests own experience in working together. They also discuss the research process and how this approach can lead to more relevant and impactful outcomes.

Guests:

  • Dr Barbora Silarova: An NIHR / Alzheimer’s Society Dem Comm Fellow at the University of Kent. Barbora brings her expertise in supporting people living with dementia and their carers. She shares insights on the significance of equal partnerships in co-produced research and the challenges and rewards of this collaborative approach.
  • Dr Rosie Ashworth: A researcher who leads patient and public involvement for the NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network in Scotland. Rosie discusses the importance of involving those with lived experience in research to enrich the quality and relevance of scientific findings.
  • Winnie Henry: A retired psychotherapist who cared for her husband with vascular dementia. Winnie provides a personal perspective on the value of co-production, emphasising empathy and the importance of ensuring that carers' voices are heard in research.
  • Mike Parish: A retired firefighter who became a carer for his husband, who had progressive supranuclear palsy. Mike highlights the importance of representing diverse experiences and backgrounds in dementia research to ensure all voices are considered.
  • David Ross: A retired engineer who cared for his wife with frontotemporal dementia. David speaks about his journey into co-production, driven by a desire to understand more about dementia and contribute to meaningful research that reflects the realities faced by carers.

Together, these guests provide valuable insights into the process and benefits of co-produced research, offering practical tips for researchers looking to adopt this approach.

Three key take-aways from the podcast:

  1. The Value of Co-Production in Research: Co-production in dementia research ensures that the perspectives of those with lived experiences, such as unpaid carers and people directly affected by dementia, are central to the research process. This approach not only enhances the relevance and impact of the findings but also addresses the real needs of the community involved.
  2. Challenges and Rewards of Co-Produced Research: While co-produced research can be more time-consuming and challenging, particularly due to the need for ongoing communication and managing diverse viewpoints, it is ultimately more rewarding. The involvement of people with lived experience leads to more comprehensive and empathetic research outcomes, fostering a deeper connection and mutual respect between researchers and participants.
  3. Practical Tips for Researchers: Effective co-production requires empathy, flexibility, and open communication. Researchers are encouraged to build strong relationships with participants, be willing to adapt to different needs, and ensure that everyone involved feels valued and heard. This collaborative approach can transform the research process, making it more inclusive and impactful.

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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.

Leave us a tip:

https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support

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