Name:
Siobhan O’Connor
Job Title:
Lecturer in Nursing
Place of work / study:
Edinburgh Napier University
Area of Research:
Digital health / eHealth
How is your research funded:
Through a combination of research grants from national agencies such as the Burdett Trust for Nursing and Innovate UK.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a nursing academic at Edinburgh Napier University who researches how health technology is co-designed, evaluated and implemented with people managing chronic diseases such as dementia. I have a mixed background in both nursing and information technology, having completed a B.Sc. Business Information Systems and later a B.Sc. Nursing. I enjoy interdisciplinary research and as a member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland I work with colleagues in computer science, engineering and product design to create and test new hardware and software applications with patients and carers. I love teaching nursing students about technology and I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am also passionate about women working in science so I volunteer as a STEM Ambassador and take part in public engagement events to encourage young girls and women in this career path.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I have a little dog called Harris who loves to destroy the latest book I am reading – must buy him some more toys!
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
As a nurse I have cared for people with dementia and supported their families. Seeing first-hand the devastating effects this illness has on people’s lives is the reason I want to work with them to create technology that suits their needs.