Dr. Felicity Slocombe

Biography

I joined the Centre for Applied Dementia Studies in January 2024 and I am a Lecturer in Dementia Studies. I am the Module Leader for Evidence-based Dementia Practice, a module which critically explores and evaluates evidence from research, policy and narrative sources to help students make recommendations in their practice based from this broad evidence-base appraisal and I assist with other modules within the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc Advanced Dementia Studies courses and modules.

My background is in Communication and Media, Sociology and Social Psychology. My doctoral thesis examined how identity of people living with dementia can be supported both within conversations, and within wider media discourses. As well as teaching, I am interested in many research topics around dementia including detailed analysis of interactions between people living with dementia and their various conversation partners, using the approach of conversation analysis, and how dementia is represented in the media and can impact stigma of dementia. I am really excited to develop and widen my interests here at Bradford.

I am open to supervise doctoral students. Please contact me via email (f.slocombe@bradford.ac.uk) to enquire and we can build your project idea together. You can find more information about applying on our Applied Dementia Studies Doctoral Training Centre and Health Studies PhD webpages.

To read more about my research please visit my ResearchGate or Google Scholar profiles.

Research

I am interested in how identity of people living with dementia is supported in interaction. My research uses conversation analysis to look at identity is managed interactionally between people living with dementia and others in their own homes and care homes. I am also interested in how people with different identities in relation to dementia interpret media representations of dementia, especially related to risk factors. 

Current projects I am involved with include:

• DEM-SHIELD - Secondary Dementia Prevention: Developing integrated Brain Health Clinics, a pre-implementation study. Brain Health Clinics are emerging in the UK as a targeted service for secondary dementia prevention, offering personalised support to at-risk individuals such as those with Mild Cognitive Impairment or high blood pressure. These clinics aim to provide equitable access to risk reduction strategies and lifestyle advice across diverse demographic groups, though they are still in very early development stages. The research will evaluate the current landscape of secondary dementia prevention through rapid evidence assessment, documentary analysis, and interviews with both health and care professionals and individuals experiencing cognitive changes. The research seeks to understand how dementia prevention services are currently commissioned and delivered, and to gather insights on how Brain Health Clinics should ideally function based on stakeholder experiences.
• EXPAND - Experiencing paramedic care: Setting the future research agendas in dementia urgent and emergency care. This research seeks to explore the experiences of people with dementia during paramedic care and to set the priorities for further research in the wider field of urgent and emergency care. 
• Bradford: An Immersive Experience. Reminiscence activities are known to improve mood, social engagement, and wellbeing in people with dementia. However, the use of immersive technologies for this purpose has not been widely studied. This project aims to use real-world digital projection, with participants stepping into an immersive environment to explore the experiences, challenges, and associated needs of people living with dementia. This project is supported by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

Teaching

I am the Module Leader for 'Evidence-based Dementia Practice', 'Evaluating Dementia Practice' and the dissertation module: 'Leading Change in Practice'. 

The Evidence-based dementia practice gives gives students the opportunity to consider the value of different types of evidence, including the role research plays in evidence-based practice, as well as other types of evidence such as clinical intuition/experience, narrative accounts from people with dementia and policy. Students explore evidence in relation to an area of practice need and formulate evidence-based recommendations for changing practice.

Evaluating dementia practice is designed to develop advanced critical skills for evaluating dementia care practices, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in assessing areas of practice. It encourages a critical appreciation of leadership roles in service evaluation and emphasizes the importance of engaging a diverse range of stakeholders throughout the evaluation process. Learners will gain in-depth knowledge of various evaluation methods and their practical application, enabling them to conduct robust, practice-based assessments that inform and enhance dementia care provision.

The dissertation project on leading change in practice equips learners with the skills and knowledge to lead and implement small-scale, evidence-based changes within their own dementia care practice. It guides students through the development of project aims and objectives, the conduct of critical literature reviews, and the application of bio-psycho-social theory to identify areas for improvement. Learners will explore suitable evaluation methods, demonstrate innovation and leadership, and address ethical and organisational challenges that may arise during change implementation. The module also introduces practical tools such as SWOT analysis and SMART planning, and encourages the use of creative, person-centred approaches to involve people with dementia meaningfully. Finally, students will learn to synthesise findings and communicate outcomes effectively using a range of formats.

Modules

• Evidence-based Dementia Practice - DEM7023-C
• Postdiagnostic Support and Living Well with Dementia - DEM7025-C

Professional activities

Publications