My parents don't understand a lot of what I'm doing, the concept is simple enough but the details of the science experiments are a bit too much for anyone not in the field! They do their best to read things I give them though, even if it's just for spelling/grammar proofing. They have read everything I've published, including reading my last paper about 3 times, they have just gotten to the point where it's starting to make sense to them now! :-) My brothers and some friends have read my stuff too, so I guess I'm lucky in having that support network around me.

They also want a copy of the thesis at the end, but I'm not sure if they'd read it all though! :p

Well that makes me feel better :) They seem really interested in what I do and always ask loads of questions about it- the subject is kind of relevant to them as they have both had parents with dementia- but when it comes to reading about it they can't stick it out! I don't really blame them, it does get pretty technical, especially with all the stats, but it would be nice if they persevered a bit further than the abstract! Oh well, I know they're behind me all the way so I will let that one go...Best, KB

Read my thesis or articles - hardly!!! My partner might've read the abstract to the articles I've published, but that's it, and he's really supportive in every other way. My thesis is my thing, and my friends and family tolerate it, don't particularly understand it, are not very interested in it, and apart from my partner, they only occasionally even ever ask me about it, or how I'm going, and then they do this just out of politness. So I don't ever expect them to show any interest and read anything I've written. My supervisor and examiners will be the only ones who ever read my thesis, I'm sure.

No and I'm not remotely bothered either. Maybe if it was something "readable" but my subject is too full of equations and impenetrable terminology to be easily read by a non expert. They are proud, I know they are, and that's enough for me.