Emily Spencer - The illusion of choice when starting a family

2024-05-10

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Emily is writing about her experience of navigating the complexities of starting a family while forging an academic career. In this blog Emily reflects on her personal experiences and the unexpected openness about family planning that followed her announcement of having a baby. She explores the broader challenges faced by academics, particularly women, who must balance short-term contracts and uncertain job security with the desire...

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

Emily is writing about her experience of navigating the complexities of starting a family while forging an academic career. In this blog Emily reflects on her personal experiences and the unexpected openness about family planning that followed her announcement of having a baby. She explores the broader challenges faced by academics, particularly women, who must balance short-term contracts and uncertain job security with the desire to expand their families. Emily's blog highlights the additional planning and sacrifices required in academia compared to other professions and calls for systemic changes to support academics in their family planning decisions.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-illusion-of-choice-when-starting-a-family/

#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia #MaternityLeave #Research

Emily Spencer is a PhD Student at University College London looking at improving how GPs communicate with people with dementia and their family carers about their future care. Emily previous had a 5 year career break to pursue a career as a musician, and has previously undertaken research on improving the care people with dementia receive from their GP practice, as well as end-of-life and palliative care provision in the community. Emily is also a new mum and will be writing about her experiences navigating motherhood and a research career.

Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Follow us on Social Media: