I am a Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Science at the University of the West of Scotland.  My research sits within two interdisciplinary fields: dementia studies and anthrozoology (human-animal studies).  It explores the role of human-animal relations in shaping experiences of health, illness and wellbeing, especially in relation to dementia and later life.  My current project is exploring the development of equid-assisted personal development (EAPD) for members of neurodiverse communities within farmed animal sanctuary settings.

Alongside my colleagues, Dr Anna Jack-Waugh and Prof Louise Ritchie, I convene the Multi-Species Dementia International Research Network (https://multispeciesdementia.org).  Established in 2019, with funding from the Wellcome Trust, the network consists of over 80 academics from across academic disciplines, continents and career stages, who are interested in developing more-than-human approaches to dementia.  With funding from the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) we recently hosted the world's first academic mini-conference dedicated to exploring dementia in a multi-species world.

I am lead editor for Multi-Species Dementia Studies: Towards an Interdisciplinary Approach.  To be published in January 2025 by Policy Press.

• (PI) Jenkins N. Developing and Consilidating the Multi-Species Dementia International Research Network.  Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Network Grant. £20,000.

One Welfare approaches to tackling loneliness and social isolation in later life.

I am very keen to work with charities and non-profit organisations who are developing One Welfare solutions to issues of animal welfare and human wellbeing, especially in relation to ageing and later life.

Canine Concern Scotland (Therapet Programme)

I am passionate about social science research methods, and I have a particular interest in the use of vignettes within qualitative inquiry.  I am willing to offer course design, consultancy and one-off workshops in several aspects of social research, including research design, data collection and data analysis, and service evaluation.  To discuss your requirements, please email: [email protected].