A podcast by two Lancaster University academics has received new support from the Vivensa Foundation – a charitable foundation that supports ageing well in the UK.

Dr Helen Nuttall, Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience in Lancaster University’s Psychology Department, and Dr Kate Slade, a lecturer in Psychology based in Lancaster Medical School, have received sponsorship funding from the Vivensa Foundation for their “Drs Confess” podcast.

The pair – who first met when Kate was employed as a postdoctoral researcher for Helen’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council New Investigator Grant ’Sensory consequences of ageing on the neurobiology of speech perception’ – started up their podcast a few years ago. They explore the trials and tribulations of a life in research, covering a range of topics from imposter syndrome and rejection, to leadership and juggling parenthood and academia.

Since its inception, “Drs Confess” has gone from strength to strength, welcoming podcast guests from Lancaster and beyond, as well as live episodes from venues such as the international conference on Cognitive Hearing Science for Communication in Sweden and, more recently, the Vivensa Foundation’s Annual Symposium in London.

The Vivensa Foundation (formerly known as The Dunhill Medical Trust) is the only UK-based charitable funder focused entirely on ageing-related research and social innovation. The organisation is committed to using its £180m endowment in ways that enable it to do more for its mission, and awards more than £6m in grants annually.

Dr Nuttall and Dr Slade have received £10,000 of funding from the Vivensa Foundation as sponsorship for the “Drs Confess” podcast, enabling them to professionalise their show through the employment of award-winning podcast producer, Dr Eva Higginbotham, to create new cover art, purchase additional podcasting equipment, as well as hire an intern to support their social media work and grow their listener base.

The pair were encouraged to apply for funding after Dr Nuttall spoke on a panel at the Vivensa Foundation’s Early Career Researchers event last year. Her talk about research culture and the podcast captured the attention of the new CEO of the Vivensa Foundation, Katy Saunders.

On the receipt of the sponsorship, Dr Nuttall commented: “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.”

Dr Slade added: “ 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!).”