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Dr Jackie Kindell
Name:
Dr Jackie Kindell
Job Title:
Clinical Senior Lecturer
Place of work / study:
The University of Manchester
Area of Research:
Interaction in dementia, life story approaches, creative methods in dementia research.
How is your work funded:
Currently by AHRC
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a speech and language therapist and have worked in dementia care since the early 1990s, predominantly within mental health community and inpatient provision. I have recently moved to the University of Manchester. My clinical work has focused on supporting people with dementia and their family members around everyday communication and providing advice around eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, as well as staff training in these areas. My research interests are in interaction in dementia, language led dementias, life story approaches, qualitative and creative research methods, and interdisciplinary partnerships with the arts.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I’ll need to think about that one
Why did you choose to work in dementia:
When I initially started working as a speech & language therapist in dementia care, someone asked me “is that because you can’t get a proper job with children?” Of course I was horrified but it was reflective of the narrow, and sadly negative, attitudes at the time. I have always found dementia care interesting, challenging, and a field where we need creativity and are learning all the time. It is a privilege to support people with dementia and their family members and be part of the team of professionals doing this.
What single piece of of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Take the opportunity when you can to listen to the research presentations of others, not just those that are directly related to your area but also more broadly outside of your direct circle. Foster these different contacts and interdisciplinary opportunities, it will help you think about your research from a different perspective and those networks may come in handy in the future.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Favourite film of all time?
The Wizard of Oz
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Spending time with my family, eating paella, followed by a family film!
