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Dr Andy Northcott
Name:
Dr Andy Northcott
Job Title:
Senior Lecturer
Place of work / study:
Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, University of West London
Area of Research:
My research looks at improving experiences for people living with dementia. This primarily looks at hosptial admissions, using observation to understand how everyday care from mealtimes to going to the toilet impact on a person living with dementia. I am also committed to improving the quality of life of people living with dementia and their families via accessibility to the arts, and have worked on projects to make cinema and the opera dementia friendly.
How is your research funded:
NIHR and the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m originally from the North East, but am slowly working my way south after a long stint livng in Manchester. I took the scenic route into research, finishing my BA in Politics at Manchester in 2003 before spending my wilderness years travelling the world and working a selection of fun but poorly paid jobs (I’ve been everything from a DJ to an English teacher in Japan before I settled into research). I returned to University in 2009, completing an MA in International Relations, which led to work with the General Medical Council, which piqued my interest in healthcare research.
One quick PhD later and I am where I am now at the University of West London, following posts at Sheffield, Cardiff and De Montfort. When I am not working I am usually found exhausted near one of my three children (Hi Jerry, Lou and Adam!) or feeling guily for spending more money on records than I should.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I like to sneak David Bowie lyrics into my publications. Reviewer 2 is yet to pick up on it.
Why did you choose to work in dementia:
My first work in dementia was fortuitous rather than part of a grand career plan. I joined a project as a research associate based on my research skills rather than my knowledge of dementia research. That was almost a decade a go, and since then i have never considered researching anything else. The condition affects so many people and there is so much still to do to improve the lives of those living with dementia.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Dont critically compare where you are in your career to other researchers, don’t try and do everything at once and don’t work weekends.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova
