Dr Charlèss Dupont
Name:
Charlèss Dupont
Job title:
Postdoctoral researcher
Place of work / study:
End-of-Life Care Research [1] group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels (Belgium).
Area of Research:
The scope of my research is dementia, palliative care, care navigation and technology. I have a background in communication, nursing, and health policy. Currently I am working on care navigation, specifically focusing on assisting people with dementia and elderly diagnosed with cancer. My PhD research was centred around the use of technology for people with dementia and their families to support them in conversations about end-of-life preferences.
How is your work funded?
My work is funded by the European Union (grant no. 101057361) and The Alzheimer Research Foundation.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am Dutch and moved to Antwerp (Belgium) in 2014 to become a nurse. Since 2017, I have lived in Brussels and worked for the End-of-Life Care Research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussels. I have worked, among other things, on improving palliative care for vulnerable populations and developing a user-centred advance care planning website specifically designed for and with people with dementia and their families. Currently, I am working on the development, evaluation and implementation of care navigation for people with dementia and elderly diagnosed with cancer.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I am an enthusiastic hockey player and occupy the position of central striker. With my team, we play throughout Belgium, and as it looks now, we will promote to the second national division next year. In addition, I am a big fan of the sea, and in the summer, when the wind is strong enough, I love to go windsurfing.
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
Through my work as a care assistant in residential care, I saw that especially palliative and end-of-life care was not tailored to the needs of people living with dementia. My will to improve care for people with dementia led me to become a nurse, doing an MSc in Healthcare Management and Policy and Ph.D. in palliative care for people with dementia.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
There are many, but I think the most important is building a (support) network. Research is a team effort. Think about forming new collaborations, but also talking to peers could support you in creating new ideas or understanding that you’re not the only one that’s struggling.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Right now, I am reading “Brave New World [2]” by Aldous Huxley. I really enjoy this book, even though I have already read it twice. I think it is one of the best books I have ever read. This is part of my goal to read The 100 best novels selected by the Guardian.
Can we find you on Twitter & Instagram?
Follow @CharlessDupont on Instagram [4]