Collectively and creatively addressing challenges in coproduced dementia research: Working towards a more equitable future
Speaker(s):
Bio: Dr Katey Warran is Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia (ECRED) at the University of Edinburgh. Alongside her post at ECRED, Dr Warran is also Research Fellow in the Social Biobehavioural Research Group at University College London and Deputy Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Arts & Health, based in the group. Her primary research area is in arts and health, including exploring dance for those living with dementia (as Principal Investigator, funded by RSE) and for young people living with anxiety (as Principal Investigator, funded by the UKRI), singing for those with postnatal depression (with the WHO), singing for those affected by cancer, and performing arts activities for hospital patients. Dr Warran also has an interest in policy and has contributed to a range of policy reports, including for the DCMS and Arts Council England.
Abstract:
Whilst coproduction is growing in popularity as a research approach, limited projects enable those living with dementia to be coresearchers. The societal stigma surrounding having a dementia often leads to a false assumption that those with dementia are unable to participate. However, many people living with dementia are capable of contributing to and leading research activities - more just needs to be done to empower those living with dementia to participate. We need to explore how to: 1) provide the necessary resources, training and time to do coproduction authentically and ethically; and 2) be reflexive and critical of challenges in a landscape that doesn't value coproduction. In this workshop led by the Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia, we invite you to creatively engage with us to imagine a more equitable future. We will use creative methods to collectively address these issues and identify priorities for the future.