What happens when academia no longer feels like the right fit, but research still does?

In this episode, Adam Smith is joined by Dr Ellice Parkinson from Health Innovation East, Elizabeth 'Lizzie' English from the British Heart Foundation, and Dr Alice Carstairs from Alzheimer’s Society to talk about leaving academia while staying connected to research.

Together, they explore the career turns that took them from PhDs and lab work into roles in health innovation, charity, policy, evaluation, public engagement and research communications. They discuss what helped them make the move, what felt difficult, and how skills built in academia can be used in many different settings.

The conversation covers identity, confidence, networking, mentoring, transferable skills, and the quiet pressure many researchers feel to stay on a traditional academic path. It also challenges the idea that leaving academia means leaving research behind.

For PhD students, early career researchers, and anyone wondering what else might be possible, this episode offers practical advice, reassurance, and examples of careers where research still sits at the centre of meaningful work.

In this episode:

• Explore how researchers transition from academia to impactful roles in health innovation, research impact analysis, and science communication.
• Discover the metaphor of "doors" in academic careers and how choosing different paths can sustain meaningful research.
• Hear personal stories from former PhD students who found success and fulfillment outside traditional university settings.
• Learn about the transferable skills that ease the transition into non-academic roles and how to leverage them.
• Gain insights into the importance of networking, mentorship, and aligning career choices with personal passions and societal needs.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

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We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

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