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The Graduate Decline | Science Communication & PhD Life

Ava Brand and Melissa Holden | PhD Researchers
Alzheimer's Disease
MRKH Syndrome
Lancaster University
Imposter Syndrome
Cell Culture
Womb Transplant UK
Western Blot
Bristol
Astrocytes
Northwest Bio
Phd Life
Western Blotting
Immunology

The Graduate Decline podcast dives deep into neuroscience and science communication with two PhD researchers. We openly discuss imposter syndrome, lab life, and the challenges of the doctorate journey while translating complex science into clear, engaging conversations.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes9Founded5 months ago
Categories
Life SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Graduate Decline

Latest Episodes

Hiatus over baby!! Soz about that:)

Bonus episode! Both me and Mel have been super preoccupied but planning to get back on it. In the meantime enjoy some random bloopers:)

This episode we discuss the manosphere, dream guest on our podcast and finally the infamous subredit discussing taste of a range or cell culture medias.

P.S. We do not condone trying this at home or in the lab, we certainly will not be trying!

In this episode, we share some of our listeners best (and worst) lab horror stories, from chaotic teaching labs to questionable PI moments.

We talk about the things that go wrong, the stuff no one warns you about, and the kind of experiences every P... more

Tune in to hear Mel and Ava discuss womb transplants and how understudied MRKH syndrome is (a woman's reproductive disorder). For context erectile dysfunction if 36 times more studied than MRKH syndrome!!

We also discuss a horror story sent in from ... more

Mel and Ava discuss all things demonstrating, imposter syndrome, publish or perish and even the differences between rich and poor labs!

Stay tuned for in depth discussion on all unwritten rules of academia.

Welcome back to episode 3!! N=3, a supposedly statistically sound number now!

Here Ava gives a run down on what inspires her in science, her undergraduate and MRes at the University of Leeds, a bit about her PhD application process and project!

We ... more

In this episode, Mel shares her path from undergraduate study through her Master’s degree and into starting a PhD. We talk about what influenced her decisions, how her interests evolved, and what the transition into doctoral research really looked li... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host

Hosts

Mel
Host and/or co-host of The Graduate Decline; active in science communication and PhD life community; affiliated with Lancaster University.
Ava
Co-host of The Graduate Decline; involved in science communication and PhD life community; affiliated with Lancaster University.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 2: Mel's Road to a PhD
Q: What is the focus of your PhD project, and what tools are you using?
The project investigates how innate immune sensors detect cellular aging and DNA structures, using the Lumix C-Trap to study protein-DNA interactions at the single-molecule level, with plans to analyze fluorescence data and complex signaling pathways.
Episode 2: Mel's Road to a PhD
Q: What were the key steps in obtaining the PhD funding, and how did the interview process unfold?
She explains an informal chat with Belfast, followed by an Lancaster-based interview with multiple interviewers, a short 15-minute presentation, and the realization of funding weeks earlier than expected, which culminated in starting the PhD.
Episode 2: Mel's Road to a PhD
Q: Tell us about your academic journey and what led you to this PhD path.
Mel describes starting with biochemistry and biology, moving into immunology through a pivotal internship, and ultimately pursuing a Master by Research before landing a PhD project through Northwest Bio, with an emphasis on melanoma and immune signaling.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Graduate Decline

What is The Graduate Decline about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two PhD researchers host a candid, conversational show about navigating academia, lab life, and science communication. Episodes mix personal updates and practical lab notes with big-picture discussions on imposter syndrome, mentoring, funding, and the realities of pursuing neuroscience research in the UK. The format blends humor with honesty—sharing lab mishaps, planning conferences, and exploring topics like gender dynamics in science, distance between ambition and everyday work, and strategies for communicating complex science to broader audiences. A standout strength is the approachable, peer-to-peer vibe that makes behind-the-scenes academic life accessible to students, early-career researchers, and science enthusiasts alike. The show's... more

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The Graduate Decline launched 5 months ago and published 9 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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