XClose

UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

Home
Menu

Connecting with Early Career Researchers at the Alzheimer’s Society Annual Conference

31 May 2018

On the second day of the conference, Alzheimer’s Society hosted a PhD networking breakfast, providing graduate students with the opportunity to network and engage with seven dementia research experts.

Dementia Researcher stall at the PhD networking breakfast with Lakshini and Charlotte.png
The Alzheimer’s Society Annual Conference took place over a 2-day period during Dementia Action week (21-27 May 2018). United by their primary interest in dementia, the delegates represented a range of backgrounds, including health and social care, local and national government, policy, and research.

On the second day of the conference, Alzheimer’s Society hosted a PhD networking breakfast, providing graduate students with the opportunity to network and engage with seven dementia research experts.

Dr Charlotte R. Stoner (a research associate) and Dr Lakshini Mendis (research project administrator), from the Office of the National Director for Dementia Research (NDDR), also attended the event to introduce the Dementia Researcher website – an online network aimed at early career dementia researchers.

Developed by the office of the NDDR, with support from Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, and the Medical Research Council, the Dementia Researcher website was launched by the National Institute for Health Research late in March 2018. A key objective of this website is to encourage and support emerging talent to get involved in dementia research. The website cover everything from jobs and funding opportunities, to a guide to producing grant proposals, opportunities to ‘ask a dementia expert’, and a range of podcasts.

Dr Stoner introduced the website at the PhD networking breakfast event, running through the different options available to members on the website. Her presentation was well received, with many attendees expressing interest in signing up for the website. One early career researcher even expressed interest in being interviewed for a podcast. All the early career researchers were also stoked to walk away with a goodie bag courtesy the team at the Office of the NDDR.

The Dementia Researcher website currently has 371 active members and is well on its way to surpassing its target of 500 hundred members within the first year.