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Introducing our new Dementia Research Fellows

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) has appointed five new Dementia Research Fellows, to strengthen capacity and capability in applied dementia research in our region.

The Fellowships have been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) working in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society, as part of a £7.5million investment in applied dementia research across England.

The new Dementia Research Fellows linked to the NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria will focus on inequalities in dementia care and support, and the role of technology in dementia care will cut across the work programme.

Our five new Dementia Research Fellows are:

• Connor Richardson is based at Newcastle University. He’ll be delivering an investigation into the effects of anti-inflammatory medication have on risk of in life dementia and pathology in a population representative cohort age 65 years and over, using the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS) population.
• Marie Poole is based at Newcastle University. Her research project covers two core areas: The role of new Integrated Care Systems (ICS) in the provision of dementia care for people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds; and the role of sporting clubs as emerging providers of dementia support to engage with people from socially disadvantaged communities.
• Tamlyn Watermeyer is based at Northumbria University. Her research project will look at involving people with Learning Disabilities in dementia research and care through technological solutions.
• Steven Lyons is based across both Newcastle University and the CNTW NHS Foundation Trust. His research project will explore how music provides opportunities for residents in care homes to live healthy lives, build relationships and maintain independence and dignity.

• James Faraday is employed by the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and linked to Newcastle University. His research project will investigate mealtime care for people living with dementia in care homes.

James and Steven have been recruited from practice backgrounds and will continue to work in clinical practice whilst completing their research fellowships.

Follow the link below to see Marie Poole and Connor Richardson talk about their NIHR ARC Dementia Fellowships, as part of an event which brought together the new Dementia Research Fellows from across all 15 ARCs.

DEMCOMM on Vimeo

Professor Eileen Kaner, Director of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, said: “We’re so pleased to welcome our five new Research Fellows, who bring with them a wealth of experience, expertise, and commitment to improving health and care for those living with dementia. Our ARC has links to world-leading research on dementia and inequalities, and our ARC leaders are some of the most influential academics in these fields. These new Fellowships will complement our existing expertise, add to our research capability, and help us to translate research findings into better health and care for people living with dementia.”