Dr E Joanna Alexjuk (PhD)

Lecturer - Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Science

Biography

Background

I am a Lecturer, Researcher, Programme Director and Writer of educational resource materials with over 25 years’ experience of working within the field of dementia care not only within academia, but also health, statutory, private and voluntary sectors.

Currently I specialise in the teaching of dementia care experience, policy and practice and health management topics included in  online and face-to-face programmes / courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level within the Department of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Science (CPASS), School of Health and Social Science (HiSS). I also supervise students undertaking undergraduate and post graduate dissertations, as well as  PhD students both on-campus and online.  In addition, I am an active Personal Tutor for CPASS students, as well as international visiting students who join us each semester. In recent years I have been nominated for four teaching awards by members of the Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA). My research interests predominately relates grief and loss in dementia care which I undertook as  doctoral research topic entitled: The Journey from Dementia Diagnosis to Family Bereavement - the fluctuating perceptions of self of family caregivers of people with dementia, which was completed in 2018. However, my broader research interests encompass topics relating to experience, policy and practice of dementia care at international level. I am a founding member of the Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia (ECRED) and whilst undertaking my academic role my research has included the co-authorship of a number of qualitative research articles / reports. Outwith my work within the school I was also External Examiner and Progression and Awards Board Examiner for health-related undergraduate and postgraduate programmes/courses at the University of West Scotland from 2014 - 2018 and since 2014 I have been the Treasurer of the British Society of Gerontology (Scotland). I also regularly undertake independent consultancy training and project evaluation for UK based organisations such as Dementia UK, Gateshead Local Authority and SEARCH Newcastle. Prior to entering academia I worked for the Alzheimer’s Society (England) as a Project Manager and National Trainer for more than 12 years.

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Research summary

Research Interests

  • Online informal dementia adviser/friend and co-writer of person-centred dementia care information and training material.  Alzheimer's Association Iran (2007 - to date).
  • Online informal dementia adviser and supporter of the Goan branch of the Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (2003 - to date).
  • Informal adviser of mental health programmes relating to elders, women and children within the Indian administrative state of Kashmir.  Human Effort for Love and Peace Kashmir, India (2003 - to date)

Funding:

  • Small grant secured from the Department of Health to evaluate the "Remember Me Dementia Care" training pack, authored by myself (Northumbria University, 2007)
  • Northern Rock Foundation grant to cover all overhead costs for rolling programme of befiending services for people with dementia and their carers. (2004-2007)

Research activity

I have a wealth of experience in the dementia field, not only as a dementia care practitioner, but also as a course tutor on the MSc in Dementia Studies at the University of Stirling and more recently as a part time doctoral student.

My PhD research relates to exploring the emotive aspects of anticipatory grief, loss and bereavement experienced by carers of people with dementia throughout their 'journey' of care.

  • Research Associate: Give and Take: Information use and Self-Management in Dementia Care project atNrthumbria University, part of NHS NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Programme. (May 2010 to Feb 2011)
  • National Trainer: Alzheimer's Society, england (2003-2009)
  • Committee member: North Tyneside Palliative Care Working Group. (2006-2008)
  • Project Coordinator: Alzheimer's Society, North Tyneshide Branch, England. (1997-2006)
  • Branch Trustee (Voluntary capacity) - Cruse Bereavement Care, Tyneside. (1997-2006)

View all 5 publications on Research Explorer

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