We are delighted to share the news that Vivensa Foundation is sponsoring Dr Helen Nuttall and Dr Kate Slade’s ‘Drs Confess’ podcast for the next year.
Helen is a Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at Lancaster University. She leads the Neuroscience of Speech and Action (NoSA) Lab. And Kate is a Lecturer in Psychology in Lancaster Medical School, and has a particular interest in ageing and hearing loss.
They first met when Kate was employed as a post-doctoral researcher on Helen’s BBSRC-funded New Investigator grant. Navigating through their ‘firsts’ together – first post-doc, first big grant – they developed the intellectual partnership and friendship that underpins Drs Confess.
Honest reflections on research culture
The podcast began in 2022 as a way to talk about the areas of academic life that aren’t usually discussed. Helen and Kate have covered topics such as imposter syndrome, rejection, preparing for your viva, leadership, juggling parenthood and academic life – and much more.
They have welcomed prestigious guests onto the show and have recorded live at conferences. Although it is categorised as a science podcast, you’ll only get snippets of science. What you will get is honest reflections on research culture and plenty of humour.
Our sponsorship will allow Helen and Kate to employ award-winning podcast producer, Dr Eva Higginbotham, to professionalise the podcast and put out monthly episodes. It has also enabled them to get new podcast cover art and employ a social media assistant through a widening participation internship at Lancaster University.
A shared vision
Helen and Kate say: “It means such a great deal to have secured sponsorship from the Vivensa Foundation. It will be instrumental in driving the podcast forwards. We all share the same vision: to contribute positively to a research culture that is honest, collaborative, and inclusive. We hope that through Drs Confess, and opening the secret diary of academic life, it helps to normalise the ups and downs of research (with added humour!)”
If you are coming to our Annual Symposium in London on Thursday 23 April you will get to join a live recording of the podcast – the first sponsored by Vivensa Foundation. Helen and Kate will be talking to Dr Sophia Armenyah from Northumbria University about being a first-time PI and a researcher in residence in an almshouse. The episode will be available on streaming platforms by the end of the month.
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You can find Drs Confess wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Follow Drs Confess on Instagram: @drsconfess
