On 17 September 2026, SPIN-D Network+ and INTERDEM Academy brought together early and mid-career researchers (ECRs) for an interactive online workshop focused on strengthening collaboration in dementia prevention and care research.

Building on previous joint events, the session provided an opportunity for researchers to share expertise, identify common interests and explore opportunities for collaborative projects.

Exploring shared priorities in dementia research

A central part of the workshop involved breakout discussions across four research themes:

• Psychosocial and holistic approaches to dementia care: Exploring how to change cultural conversations about dementia and improve communication and understanding across communities.
• Biological and clinical foundations of dementia prevention: Identifying shared interests in genetics and research datasets, with participants agreeing to continue exploring opportunities for collaboration.
• Brain health and population-level dementia risk: Discussing how population-based research and real-world healthcare data can inform dementia prevention, address research gaps and translate findings into clinical practice.
• Lifestyle and health promotion interventions: Exploring dementia prevention within ethnically diverse communities, including challenges around building trust, improving research participation and ensuring findings are shared meaningfully with participants.

Across the discussions, participants highlighted the importance of inclusive dementia research, meaningful community engagement and translating research evidence into practical benefits for people affected by dementia.

Supporting the next generation of dementia researchers

The workshop also introduced SPIN-D’s ‘5 Tips’ video series, which shares practical advice from researchers, people living with dementia and carers. Participants contributed ideas for future topics and discussed how these resources could better support ECRs.

Attendees also heard about funding, research exchange and professional development opportunities available through both networks.

Get involved in dementia research collaboration

The discussions highlighted opportunities for researchers across different disciplines and countries to connect, share knowledge and develop new partnerships.

Interested in getting involved?

• Join the SPIN-D Early Career Researcher network to hear about future events, funding and collaboration opportunities.
• Join INTERDEM Academy to connect with a European network of dementia researchers.
• Explore SPIN-D’s Flexible Funding opportunities to support collaborative dementia research and implementation projects.

Researchers interested in continuing the conversations or connecting with others working across these themes can contact SPIN-D at spindnetworkplus@live.ucl.ac.uk.