Dementia Researcher Blogs28 Aug 2025

Rebecca Williams - Career Decisions in Academia

Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.

In this blog, Rebecca Williams challenges the idea of a single 'right' or 'wrong' career path in academia. Drawing from her own experience and her mother’s varied journey, she argues that every choice adds value, even if it feels like a detour. Rebecca encourages early career researchers to embrace uncertainty, see each step as part of a broader story, and focus less on optimisation and more on enjoyment of the path ahead.

Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-career-decisions-in-academia/
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Rebecca Williams is PhD student at the University of Cambridge. Though originally from ‘up North’ in a small town called Leigh, she did her undergraduate and masters at the University of Oxford before defecting to Cambridge for her doctorate researching Frontotemporal dementia and Apathy. She now spends her days collecting data from wonderful volunteers, and coding. Outside work, she plays board games, and is very crafty. @beccasue99

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.

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