Dr Ayokunmi Ojebode
Name:
Dr Ayokunmi Ojebode
Job Title:
Honorary Research Fellow
Place of work / study:
University of Nottingham / Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust / Alzheimer’s Society [1] / Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)
Area of Research:
Dementia and Arts / Poetry
How is your research funded:
Self-funded
Tell us a little about yourself:
Dr Ayokunmi Ojebode FHEA is a creative writer, lecturer and researcher with eight years of experience as a university faculty. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the School of English, University of Nottingham and a Member of the Institute of Mental Health Nottingham.
He is also a Bank Mental Health Support Worker with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and has worked across different care homes and hospitals in the East Midlands. He is a Volunteer Call Companion for the Alzheimer’s Society, a Focus Group participant for the Alzheimer’s Society’s Companionship Project and a Lead Social Media and Community Strategist for Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), providing care and expert counsel for people with dementia and their carers through telephone service, community and digital engagements.
Dr Ojebode is a dynamic researcher with a track record in the field of Dementia, Arts and Poetry, as highlighted in the following ongoing research presentation/projects:
- Presenter at the first-ever Nature Dementia Conference in Africa, with the partnership of Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative and Aga Khan University Future of Dementia in Africa: Advancing Global Partnerships. Nairobi, Kenya, September 11 – 12, 2024.
- Poetry and caregiving for those with dementia: Using poems to improve the health and well-being of those with dementia and their carers in Global South and North.
- Raising Awareness of Frontotemporal Dementia among Racialised Communities in the United Kingdom: Addressing Diagnosis and Caregiving Challenges through Stage Performance.
- Kiyana Wraps: African Headgear as Adaptive Accessory for People with Dementia in Diasporic Communities in the United Kingdom.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I love connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
My fulfilment comes from seeing the immediate impact of my care on people and the joy of putting smiles on their faces, knowing that I made a difference in their lives. My interest in people with dementia and their carers using arts and evidenced-based research is to foster community engagement and systemic transformation, especially among racialised communities in the United Kingdom.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Keep your eyes on your target and don’t get discouraged.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Poetry and Dementia: A Practical Guide [2] by John Killick. Absolutely.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Watching Films, travelling, reading and spending time with family
Favourite film of all time?
Still Alice