Northamptonshire Dementia Research & Innovation Centre

Organisation profile

Based in the Faculty of Health, Education and Society, the University of Northampton (UoN) Dementia Research and Innovation Centre (NDRIC) is co-led by Professor Jacqueline Parkes and Dr Alison Ward and supported by Dr Jordan Elliott-King.

At NDRIC, we work in partnership with health and social care providers, voluntary organisations, students, and the public to design and develop contemporary and innovative approaches to the provision of person centred community-based care and support for people living with dementia and their carers

NDRIC aims to be a research, knowledge exchange, and innovation ‘hub’ focusing on early diagnosis, community-based post diagnostic interventions, and social support for people with dementia and carers.

People with dementia want to live normally in safe and accepting communities. Our aim is to bring together researchers, educationalists, and innovators who are interested in actively promoting personal independence, social integration and normalisation. The team at NDRIC will build on their experience and expertise in establishing person-centred community-based psychosocial support networks; diagnostic processes and post diagnostic support mechanisms in young onset dementia; assistive technologies, developing integrated care in community settings; and neurological disease and portable balance measurement.

Underpinning all of NDRIC’s work is a commitment to ensuring the centrality of the ‘voices’ of people with dementia, including those with a younger onset, and carers.

We are currently accepting PhD student applications who are interested in studying within our special interest groups (SIG) below:

SIG 1 Dementia-Friendly Campus & Communities

Led by Professor Jacqueline Parkes

The aim of this SIG is to explore how people with dementia can continue to pursue active citizenship within knowledgeable organisations and communities which appreciate and accept their shared humanity.

SIG 2 Personhood & Lifestyle Factors

Led by Dr Jordan Elliott-King

The aim of this SIG is to investigate lifestyle factors and personhood that impact cognition, overall health and wellbeing of those at risk of developing dementia, as well as those living with dementia and their families.

SIG 3 Community Interventions

Led by Dr Alison Ward

The aim of this SIG is to explore ways of providing evidence-based community support for those living with a diagnosis of dementia and their families/caregivers. This brings together research and innovative practice to support independent living.

Centre Leadership

Co-lead - Professor Jacqueline Parkes

Jacqueline.parkes@northampton.ac.uk

+44 (0) 1604 89 2720

+44 (0) 7748 647192

Co-Lead - Dr Alison Ward

alison.ward@northampton.ac.uk

+44 (0) 1604 89 3559

+44 (0) 7740716551

@TopsyAward

Deputy Lead - Dr Jordan Elliott-king

Jordan.Elliott-King@northampton.ac.uk

+44 (0) 1604 89 2989

@JordanAisha