Emily Spencer - Overcoming Academic Conference Presentation Anxiety

Emily Spencer narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.

With her her viva date set and every working hour going into her thesis, Emily has also just returned to conference season for the first time since her maternity leave in 2023. At the International Psychogeriatric Association Congress in the Netherlands she gave an oral presentation on her conversation analytic study of advance care planning conversations between GPs, people with dementia, and their carers. In this blog she works through the layers of worry that came before it: pitching a niche method to a general audience, trusting the tech to play her video clips, presenting with poor eyesight that rules out speaker notes, and the dread of audience questions, all with her primary supervisor watching. What actually happened surprised her, and she explains why the experience has given her confidence for future talks and for defending her thesis. A good listen for anyone who has ever stood at a lectern convinced their work is too niche to interest anyone.

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-overcoming-academic-conference-presentation-anxiety/

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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.

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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 by University College London in association with the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

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