Series One of Minds in Motion is Available Now

Since 2011, involving people with dementia and their care partners has been central to Dr Sarah Kate Smith's work — not as an afterthought, but as co-designers and collaborators. In this short extract, they explain why co-creation isn't just ethical, it's essential for developing accessible, effective interventions.

🎧 Watch the full Minds in Motion episode to explore how meaningful public involvement can reshape dementia research from the inside out - and more about Sarah's work on Brain Health and Dementia Prevention.

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The Minds in Motion Podcast from Dementia Researcher in association with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations and Alzheimer’s Society, brings together NIHR Dem Comm Research Fellows, to talk about their research and careers.

In this final episode of the current series, Trevor Salomon is joined by Dr Pippa Collins from the University of Southampton to interview Dr Sarah Kate Smith.

Sarah is based at The University of Manchester and NIHR ARC Greater Manchester, and is an NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society Demm Comm Fellow. Her work focuses on brain health and dementia prevention, particularly examining how physical activity in midlife could reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life. With a background in psychology and a PhD in health services research, Sarah brings expertise in creative and inclusive research methodologies that enable the involvement of people living with dementia and their families.

In this conversation, we explore the challenges of dementia prevention research, how risk reduction differs from the idea of outright prevention, and the importance of public and patient involvement in designing ethical and accessible interventions. Sarah also shares insight into an upcoming project exploring access to brain health clinics among minority ethnic groups and reflects on her career journey, motivations, and what keeps her going.
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Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research.
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For information on the Fellowship visit:
http://www.arc-wx.nihr.ac.uk/dem-comm-research-fellows

For guest biographies, a full transcript and much more visit:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
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Like what you see? Please review, like, and share our podcast, and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. If you prefer to listen rather than watch, check out your favourite podcast app.
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This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
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Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://www.bsky.app/profile/dementiare…archer.bsky.social
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:23 Meet Sarah and learn about her work
05:25 Challenges in implementing Dementia Prevention strategies
08:58 Prevent vs Delay and Motivation to Act
10:37 Connecting exercise to brain health
12:24 Using technology to help
13:50 The role of patient and public involvement
16:27 Promising advancements in Brain Health
19:12 How can we study brain health
21:09 Preventing Dementia
23:42 Sarah's other projects - Brain Health Clinics
27:24 Speedy Career Questions
31:42 Just for fun, round-up and goodbyes

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In this episode of the Minds in Motion podcast, Dr Pippa Collins—clinical academic and Dem Comm Fellow—shares her journey from physiotherapy to pioneering research in frailty, dementia, and end-of-life care. Joined by hosts Dr Katie Breheny and Trevor Salomon, Pippa discusses the urgent need to rethink palliative models, the value of compassion in clinical practice, and how lived experience and research can work hand-in-hand to improve care.

🌐 Learn more: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
📢 In partnership with the NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society.

#Dementia #PalliativeCare #ClinicalResearch #EndOfLifeCare #Frailty #DemComm #NIHR #AlzheimersSociety #MindsInMotion #Podcast

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The Minds in Motion Podcast from Dementia Researcher in association with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations and Alzheimer’s Society, brings together NIHR Dem Comm Research Fellows, to talk about their research and careers.

Over the next few months, we will be releasing the second series, hearing from five of the Dem Comm Fellows each taking e a turn as co-host and guest. Alongside the researchers we have the incredible Trevor Salomon, Alzheimer’s Society Volunteer & Chair of the European Dementia Carers Working Group as our permanent co-host and anchor.
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In show Trevor is joined by Dr Katie Breheny from Bristol University and NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West to interview Dr Pippa Collins.

Pippa Collins is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner and NIHR / Alzheimer’s Society Dem Comm Fellow based at the University of Southampton and NIHR ARC Wessex. Her research primarily addresses the critical aspects of end-of-life care, frailty, and dementia. In this discussion, we explore her work aimed at enhancing the recognition and management of the end-of-life period for people living with dementia. Pippa highlights the importance of shifting from traditional medicalised models of palliative care towards a holistic and personalised "palliative approach," focusing on recognising individual trajectories and vulnerabilities. Her goal is to foster improvements in dementia care practices by better educating healthcare professionals, supporting families, and integrating patient-centred care pathways that respect each individual's emotional, social, and cognitive needs.
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Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research.
--

For information on the Fellowship visit:
http://www.arc-wx.nihr.ac.uk/dem-comm-research-fellows

For guest biographies, a full transcript and much more visit:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
-

Like what you see? Please review, like, and share our podcast, and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. If you prefer to listen rather than watch, check out your favourite podcast app.
--

This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--

Follow us on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://www.bsky.app/profile/dementiare…archer.bsky.social
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Chapters:

00:00 Introductions
02:53 Meet Dr Pippa Collins and learn about her work
05:00 Dementia Care training
09:21 Inspiration for Pippa's research
11:53 Common challenges in treating people living with dementia
15:04 Palliative Care in dementia
19:30 Engaging people at the end of life in research
23:09 How does research influence clinical practice
28:37 Other projects
30:11 Speedy career questions
33:45 Just for fun, round-up and goodbyes

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Watch the full video podcast:

https://youtu.be/BNv4yRftOHw

#appliedknowledge #Applied_Research

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