The Graduate Decline | Science Communication & PhD Life

Ava Brand and Melissa Holden | PhD Researchers
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Life Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

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.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 9: We are SO back!!

    Hiatus over baby!! Soz about that:)

    22 min

  2. May 30 ·  Bonus

    Episode 8: Bloopers!!

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

    18 min

  3. Apr 11

    Episode 7: Does cell culture media taste like ham?

    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!

    27 min

  4. Mar 28

    Episode 6: Teaching Labs and Trauma

    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 PhD student somehow ends up with. A mix of chaos, questionable decisions, and a reminder that academia isn’t always as put-together as it looks.

    27 min

  5. Mar 21

    Episode 5: Wombs, Radiation & Lab Survival Tactics

    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 our followers involving radioactive spillages. Finally, we debate what we would use in the lab to defend ourselves from intruders. Another chaotic episode, please enjoy!

    25 min

  6. Mar 14

    Episode 4: Feeling Like a Fraud

    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.

    34 min

  7. Mar 7

    Episode 3: Ava's Background

    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 know we've just chatted history and background the last few episodes but stay tuned, we will dive into more topics as each week progresses!

    30 min

  8. Feb 28

    Episode 2: Mel's Road to a PhD

    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 like. From early academic uncertainty to finding her place in the lab, this is an honest conversation about progression, growth, and what it actually takes to commit to a PhD.

    38 min

  9. Feb 21

    Episode 1: Welcome to The Graduate Decline:)

    In our very first episode, we introduce the podcast, share a bit about our PhD backgrounds in neuroscience and immunology, and explain why we decided to start The Graduate Decline. We talk about what it’s actually like starting (and surviving) a doctorate, the conferences, the chaos, the learning curves, and the parts of academia that don’t always make it into publications. This episode is an informal introduction to who we are, what we research, and what you can expect from future episodes!

    12 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

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.

Information