Dr Catherine Quinn
Name:
Dr Catherine Quinn
Job title:
Associate Professor
Place of work / study:
Area of Research:
My research focuses on improving the quality of life of those affected by dementia, with a particular interest in caregiving and intervention development. I also have an interest in young onset dementia. I use different methodologies in my research including qualitative, quantitative, observational and co-production.
How is your work funded:
Various funders predominately NIHR
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am an Associate Professor at the Department for Applied Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford. I lead modules on post-diagnostic support and living well with dementia. My research focuses on improving the quality of life of people living with dementia and their carers. I was recently co-Principal Investigator an NIHR-funded project, DYNAMIC, which focused on improving social care planning and provision for people with young onset dementia and their families.
I am affiliated with the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Dementia and Neurodegeneration University of Exeter (DeNPRU Exeter) and I am a co-lead of the dementia workstream for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC), Yorkshire & Humber.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I enjoy walking in the countryside
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
In my undergraduate I did a module that focused on memory in the real world. Only 6 of us did that module and most of the teaching was through class discussion. It gave me an appreciation of how important memory is and that led to me taking an interest in conditions where memory is affected. I did my MSc at Bangor where I was able to undertake my dissertation looking at the experiences of dementia carers and I have worked in this area ever since.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Build your network and maintain it. I am still in contact with people I worked with years ago and it’s great seeing how they are progressing in their careers. It also means that I have people who I can call on for help or advice if I need it.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
‘The things we never say’ by Elizabeth Strout, I don’t think it’s as good as her other books, I’m a big fan of Olive Kitteridge
Favourite film of all time?
I’m a big fan of films so that is an incredibly hard one for me to answer.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Going out walking and watching a good film. I often work listening to movie soundtracks.
What’s the best decision you ever made?
I had a break between doing my undergraduate degree and my MSc so I think it would be deciding to do my MSc.
Dementia Researcher
Felicity Slocombe
Heather Wilkinson
