Dr Louise Ritchie is a Reader in Dementia Research in the Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice at UWS. She is a psychologist who is interested in understanding the experiences of people with dementia and research which can help to improve the lives of people living with dementia, their families and people who care for them. Her most impactful research projects relate to dementia and employment; understanding the experiences of those who are diagnosed whilst still in employment and exploring the potential for continued employment post-diagnosis. She also has a developing track record in other areas of dementia research which explores housing, non-pharmacological interventions (including music and animal-assisted therapy) and evaluation of dementia education programmes.

Evaluation of the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network 2019-2021

Funded by the Life Changes Trust, this project aims to understand the impact of dementia inclusive choirs for people with dementia and unpaid carers and assess the working of the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network in terms of its ability to raise awareness of dementia and improve access to the arts for people affected by dementia within Scotland.

The social, emotional and physical impact of living in supported housing with dementia 2019-2022

Funded by the Abbeyfield Research Foundation, this funded PhD studentship will explore the experiences of people living with dementia in supported housing settings. 

Employers' responses to dementia in the workplace in Scotland 2016-2018

Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland funded collaborative grant, which is led by Edinburgh Napier University. The aim of this research is to explore how employers in Scotland support their employees with dementia. The research will help us to understand whether employers are meeting their legal duties. The research will look at the policies that employers have to support employees with dementia. 

NHS

Third Sector organisations

My aim is to continue to develop my interest in dementia and employment, with a focus on developing support mechanisms for employment and retirement post-diagnosis of dementia. The initial project at UWS on this topic was seminal in the area, and my ambition is that this is developed and UWS is recognised as world-leading in this area, both academically, and through the impact on practice and policy relating to employment support post-diagnosis.  

Early onset dementia

Dementia in the workplace

Case study research 

Purposeful activity and dementia