Dr Kritika Samsi
Name:
Dr Kritika Samsi
Job title:
Senior Research Fellow
Place of work / study:
Area of Research:
Dementia, minority ethnic, social care, qualitative methods, family carers
How is your work funded?
Fixed term (short term) contracts, dependent on grant income
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’ve worked in dementia research for over 12 years, and gerontological research for 15. Main areas of work are social care [2] in dementia, and research that supports family carers make challenging decisions about respite and planning for long term care. I am originally from India, with my parents still living there and have strong roots to India. Outside of work, I am mother to 2 young kids, which is very intense to juggle around the demands of academia and the poor work-life balance it engenders. I love to cook and if I had any ‘spare’ time, I would fill it with yoga.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I love celebrating my birthday! With each birthday, I feel “this is the age I am meant to be” – it’s either the cause or the by-product of gerontological research.
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
I can’t say specifically! I was always drawn to gerontology and psychology – and dementia combined these 2 interests. Qualitative research methods opened up the complexities of dementia in startling detail, and I still don’t feel I’ve plumbed the depths yet, so I’m still here!
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Find a good “home” – a boss supportive of early career researchers, and colleagues you can trust and be friends with.