This platform is designed to connect dementia researchers worldwide, providing a unique space for collaboration, support, and professional growth.
A Global Community at Your Fingertips
The Dementia Researcher Communities platform offers an inclusive environment where researchers from all over the globe, working in all fields of dementia research can come together, provide peer support, share knowledge, and build meaningful connections. Whether accessed via a web browser or the dedicated mobile app, this community is always within reach, making it easier than ever for professionals to stay connected and engaged with their peers.
Key Features of the Platform:
- Seamless Collaboration: The platform facilitates real-time interaction with fellow researchers, enabling the exchange of ideas, discussion of theories, and collaboration on projects. With members spanning multiple continents, the community offers a truly global perspective on dementia research.
- Comprehensive Professional Development: Users can participate in a variety of professional development activities, including expert-led webinars, livestreams, virtual journal clubs and dementia career specific training. These resources are designed to keep researchers informed about the latest thoughts on career support, advancements and trends, helping them to stay at the forefront of their field.
- Supportive Peer Network: Understanding the challenges inherent in dementia research, the platform provides a space for researchers to connect with others who share similar experiences. Through forums, discussion groups, and direct messaging, members can offer and receive support, share successes, find a mentor, a conference friends and navigate career challenges together.
- Accessible Resources: In addition to its interactive features, the platform provides access to a wealth of educational content, including blogs, podcasts, and curated articles. These resources are available both online and within the app, ensuring that members have the information they need, whenever they need it.
- Building A Profile: The platform is also here to make it easy to present and host events and provide new opportunities to build on your narrative CV and work with the wider community to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Supported by the NIHR, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and Race Against Dementia, and delivered by UCL, the Dementia Researcher Communities platform is more than just a research tool—it is a comprehensive support system for those dedicated to understanding and combating dementia.
Adam Smith, Dementia Researcher Programme Director, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, said “Building a strong community is essential for researchers, especially in fields as challenging as dementia. By fostering collaboration and providing mutual support, we can help each other grow professionally, advance our collective understanding of the disease.”
“This launch is just the beginning; we are rapidly developing and will continue to add new features over the coming months. It has all been made possible by generous funding from Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Race Against Dementia and the National Institute for Health and Care Research – and of course our host University College London and the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre”.
Bethany Linder, Research Fellow at Brighton and Sussex Medical School said “I think we're incredibly lucky as dementia researchers to be getting a place where we can learn from the experience of experts in our field, connect with other researchers, find out about grants and job opportunities, and stay updated on advancements in research. It's going to be so inspiring to see a space where so many passionate people are working towards the same goal of improving the lives of people affected by dementia”
Briony Harden, PhD Student at University of Nottingham said “A community enables us to collaborate with the people who matter most in our research. As researchers, a community means we can understand what is needed, help improve the lives of the people we are researching for, and hopefully empower people living with dementia and their care partners to be even more involved and have hope for the future.”
Dr Leah Fullegar, Research Associate at University of Portsmouth said “It is wonderful to have this new service. Being a researcher can be quite isolating. It is wonderful to have a community to deliver a sense of togetherness, and inspiring to be a part of something bigger.”
In a time when some forms of traditional social media are in decline, Dementia Researcher Communities offers a refreshing place where collaboration, support and the goal of progressing careers and research to beat Alzheimer’s Disease and all forms of dementia is the ultimate goal.