Illustrated promotional graphic for a guest blog titled Learning to Let Good Be Enough. The design shows a cartoon figure wearing a Good Job badge alongside a photograph of guest blogger Emily Spencer, a PhD student at University College London. The background features a calm indoor scene with neutral tones and yellow branding consistent with Dementia Researcher visual identity.

PhD life sometimes feels like trying snowboarding for the first time and expecting Olympic level performance. @ejmspencer.bsky.social explains why that mindset might need rethinking.

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-learnin...

Communicative practices used by health and social care professionals, older adults and informal carers during advance care planning conversations: systematic review of qualitative evidence and narrati... AbstractBackground. While advance care planning (ACP) is linked with clinical and psychosocial benefits for older adults and their informal carers, uptake

Fascinating review from our affiliate student @ejmspencer.bsky.social - Health and social care professionals do not always follow up when older adults initiate advance care planning conversations - suggesting a lack of sensitivity to or awareness of patient signals academic.oup.com/ageing/artic...

Donate to Help Jesse Access Life-Changing Sarcoma Treatment, organized by Simon Brown Our beautiful boy Jesse, now 4 years old, has been bravely fighting a ra… Simon Brown needs your support for Help Jesse Access Life-Changing Sarcoma Treatment

My friend’s son Jesse is only 4 and for the second time undergoing cancer treatment. He has a chance for treatment in Germany that could change his future. Please consider donating or sharing to help Jesse access this life-saving care. Every bit helps! gofund.me/7f340bc1d

Emily Spencer - Blog – Time, Work, and a Two-Year-Old Juggling a PhD, new job, and parenting a fearless toddler, Emily Spencer reflects on time, balance, and how motherhood shapes her life and work.

When your toddler’s climbing furniture before sunrise and you’ve got a PhD deadline looming… Emily Spencer’s latest blog is every parent-researcher’s reality. @ejmspencer.bsky.social

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-time-wo...

🎉New publication🎉

Really delighted to have my first PhD study published in Age and Ageing, a review considering the communication strategies used by healthcare professionals, older adults and informal carers when discussing advance care planning.

@ucl-primarycare.bsky.social @ucl-caps.bsky.social

Emily Spencer - Blog – The Exhausting Reality of Data Collection Emily Spencer shares the day-to-day challenges of research data collection in dementia studies, from rushed paperwork to long hours and mental overload.

Data collection days are long and draining. Emily Spencer writes about exhaustion, research, and parenting. 🧠💤 @ejmspencer.bsky.social

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-exh...

Illustration of a woman carrying a baby on her back, climbing a mountain labelled "THESIS," symbolising the struggle and determination of completing a PhD. Includes the title "Retreat, Regroup, Rewrite" and a photo of Emily Spencer, PhD student at University College London, guest blogger for Dementia Researcher.

7,000 words in 12 hours – after weeks of exhaustion. Emily Spencer @ejmspencer.bsky.social shares why protected time makes all the difference in your PhD journey. #ResearchWriting

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-retreat...

Illustration of a smiling woman juggling items representing PhD research and family life, including books, a laptop, a camera, and a teddy bear, under the text "Balancing fieldwork & family

Ever tried scheduling vital meetings around toddler nap times? Emily Spencer captures the art of adaptability in research! #FieldworkRealities @ejmspencer.bsky.social

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-balanci...

After four years, my Duolingo streak is over. Duo and the French language, you had become the noose around my neck. Today I choose to live in freedom.

Emily Spencer - Blog – Writing, Parenting, & Everything Else: Making things Work Emily Spencer shares her latest reflections on juggling academia, parenting, and life—finding balance, facing challenges, and finding time for conferences!

Academia + parenting = a never-ending balancing act! 🎭 How do you make it work? @ejmspencer.bsky.social shares an update on her journey in this month’s blog. Read here: 🔗 #PhDParent #ParentingWins

www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-writing...

LOVE the graphic!

This image features a promotional graphic for a guest blog titled "Productivity, Focus, and Parenthood" by Emily Spencer, a PhD student at University College London. The visual depicts a stylised scene with Emily sitting at a cluttered desk, surrounded by books and papers labelled "PHD." She is writing in a notebook while glancing at a laptop screen. In the foreground, a baby is reaching towards a guitar, symbolising the balance between academic pursuits and parenting. Emily Spencer's photo is placed in the top right corner, affirming her authorship.

🔄 From systematic reviews to childcare surprises, Emily Spencer @ejmspencer.bsky.social navigates the highs and lows of PhD life as a parent. Check out her latest blog for real-life tips! #PhDAdvice #WorkingParents

https://buff.ly/40KduFT

Love everything about this.

A great blog from @sgriffiths-6.bsky.social! And so important to recognise this seemingly unavoidable facet of working as a researcher in this field.

I was starting to doubt it ever would 😭

I-Care Doctoral Training Centre - PhD Applicants Information Session YouTube video by Dementia Researcher

If you're thinking of applying for a PhD within the new @alzsocresearch.bsky.social I-Care DTC, applications close on the 22nd January. If you missed the info webinar you can catch-up now with this livestream recording. @profnathandavies.bsky.social

youtu.be/Z0Faxm2KVkI

@sgriffiths-6.bsky.social and @katieflanagan.bsky.social can share in this victory

Excellent start to 2025 with our latest PriDem paper being accepted for publication! Looking forward to seeing our qualitative process evaluation of a novel model of dementia care in press very soon 🎉

Although on balance I enjoy it less when my 1 year old has kept me awake since 3am. Swings and roundabouts.

Doing the whole occasional musician thing last night, singing at a contemporary carol service. Definitely enjoy doing this more now it’s not my actual job…!

Promotional graphic for the blog 'Battling Perfectionism and Building Resilience' by Emily Spencer, a PhD student at University College London. The graphic features the title in bold text alongside a vibrant illustration of a woman holding a baby in one arm and a wrench in the other, symbolising balance between parenting and work. Chains labelled 'Perfectionism' and 'Resilience' are breaking apart, conveying growth and strength. Emily Spencer's photo is displayed in the top right corner, with her title and institution listed below. The Dementia Researcher logo is included in the centre.

Parenting + PhD = a tough balancing act. In her latest blog, Emily Spencer @ejmspencer.bsky.social shares her journey of tackling perfectionism & building resilience. Read now or listen. #Academia

https://buff.ly/49nQM9e

Absolutely delighted that each and every one of my top played songs this year was blink-182 #spotifywrapped

This is giving me a lot of life right now.

Basically hosting in order to learn something myself 😬 but should be a great event!

📢Practitioners working with GP surgeries (GPs, nurses, dementia advisors, care co-ordinators....).Do you have conversations with people with #dementia and carers about their care/support needs?

Contact me if you'd like to participate in this project! £20 voucher given. More info 👇

Please share!

I cannot express the difference between my feed on here compared to that other place. Rather than the constant spewing of hate, I have *relevant* content interspersed with (inexplicably) loads of photos of space. Kinda getting into the space thing.

A promotional image for the Alzheimer’s Society I-Care Doctoral Training Centre for Integrated Care: PhD Studentships. The centre's logo is displayed prominently at the top, alongside the Alzheimer’s Society logo. A smiling young woman holding a tablet and a backpack is featured on the right, symbolising research and study opportunities. Below, there’s a bold headline: "Doctoral Training Centre for Integrated Care: PhD Studentships." A blue "Apply Now" button is included, with a note: "Applications close at midnight on 22nd January 2025." Logos of partner universities (Queen Mary University of London, UCL, London School of Economics, Leeds Beckett University, University of Plymouth) are displayed at the bottom. The background is soft and professional.

The @alzheimerssoc.bsky.social funded 🎓 I-Care DTC is now recruiting! 5 fully-funded PhDs in #dementia care research are available. Join @profnathandavies.bsky.social @claudiacooper.bsky.social and the team to make a lasting impact on dementia care. Apply by 22 Jan 2025! https://buff.ly/4fZIQgm

Looking forward to working on this project with @sgriffiths-6.bsky.social - always good to get the gang back together 😉

Well done on getting it out there!