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Profile – Lorna Smith, University of Plymouth

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29/11/2024

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Lorna Smith

Name:

Lorna Smith

Job Title:

PhD student / Research Assistant

Place of work / study:

University of Plymouth

Area of research?

PhD project “Nature is not a place to visit, it is home”: The value of nature on the quality of life of people with dementia. Read more about it here: : D-PACT Dementia Support Study and RadioMe.

How is your research funded:

PhD – Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth; D-PACT – NIHR; RadioMe – EPSRC

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’ve just started a PhD, using mixed methods to explore the value of engaging with nature on the quality of life for people living with dementia. Prior to this, I have been working in dementia research in studies that aimed to improve or maintain the quality of life for those affected by the condition. Throughout my research career, I’ve been interested in adaptive and inclusive methods that help include marginalised voices in research.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself:

When I was eight years old, I came first in an under-16s Bramley apple pie making competition. I still have my amazing apple-shaped trophy from this auspicious event!

Why did you choose to work in dementia research?

My first experience in dementia research was on the D-PACT project, which I was drawn to for its goal to improve the well-being and health-related quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. Prior to this, I hadn’t honestly considered what it was to ‘work in dementia’. Having now worked in this field for the past 6 years my curiosity is ever growing, and I can better appreciate how this is a critical area of research. There seems to be amazing and collaborative work happening, and I want to be part of that move to better understanding the lived experience of dementia and conveying this into policy.

What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?

Talk to people! There’s so much to grapple with in the field of dementia research, and sometimes it can be easy to sink into your own thoughts and get overwhelmed. Talking through ideas and seeing research as a collaborative process has really helped me.

What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?

I find myself reading more memoirs lately (‘Why didn’t you just do what you were told’ essays by Jenny Diski, and ‘When breath becomes air’ by Paul Kalanithi)…. The latest is Martin Short’s ‘I must say: my life as a humble comedy legend’, would definitely recommend!