Dr Richard Ward

Senior Lecturer in Dementia

Dementia and Ageing Colin Bell Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Richard Ward

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About me

About me

I am a Senior Lecturer in Dementia Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences. My background is in social work specialising in working with older people and people with dementia in particular. As a result I have an interest in social care practice and the evolving landscape of dementia care.  I'm a member of the British Society of Gerontology and the British Sociological Association and belong to the BSA study group on Ageing, the Body and Society.  Much of the research I've been involved in has been participatory and I'm particularly interested in using methods that can support people with dementia to meaningfully participate in research. I've spent time studying care and communication, issues of discrimination in relation to ageing and later life and have an interest in sexuality and ageing. My PhD investigated gender relations in dementia care settings using discourse analysis and theory. More recent research on the Hair and Care project foregrounded attention to embodiment and the senses in the context of body work relationships in dementia care. Current interests include dementia and place, with a focus on the lived experience of dementia in time and space. I'm also part of a knowledge partnership leading a dementia enabling community development project across Stirling called 'Our Connected Neighbourhoods'.

Research (8)

Dementia care Dementia, place and space Adult social work and social care Ageing and discrimination Dementia, ageing and sexuality Dementia, ageing and embodiment Participatory research Community development

Projects

Centring the lived experience of dementia within policy, practice and community development
PI: Dr Richard Ward
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council

Our Connected Neighbourhoods
PI: Dr Richard Ward
Funded by: Life Changes Trust and Stirling Council

COVID-19 Rapid Response. Sustaining the resilience and wellbeing of frontline community based care and support workers to vulnerable older people during a time of crisis
PI: Dr Grant Gibson
Funded by: Chief Scientist Office

Neighbourhoods and Dementia: A mixed methods study
PI: Dr Richard Ward
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council

Improving early detection of melanoma by increasing young people's awareness of symptoms, skin self-examination and communication: a quasi-experimental trial with embedded process evaluation
PI:
Funded by: Melanoma Focus

Moving Memories: The role and meaning of possessions in the context of housing transitions for people entering care
PI: Dr Richard Ward
Funded by: Abbeyfield Society

Hairdressing, image and body work in care services to older people
PI: Dr Richard Ward
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council

Promotion of dementia standards: literature review
PI: Professor Alison Bowes
Funded by: Care Inspectorate

Outputs (76)

Outputs

Article

Campbell S, Clark A, Keady J, Manji K, Odzakovic E, Rummery K & Ward R (2023) ‘I can see what's going on without being nosey…’: What matters to people living with dementia about home as revealed through visual home tours. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 38 (9), Art. No.: e5999. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5999


Book Chapter

Clark A, Ward R & Phillipson L (2021) Conclusion: dementia emplaced. In: Ward R, Clark A & Phillipson L (eds.) Dementia and place: practices, experiences and connections. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 208-217. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/dementia-and-place


Book Chapter

Odzakovic E, Kullberg A, Hellstrom I, Clark A, Campbell S, Manji K, Rummery K, Keady J & Ward R (2021) Making and maintaining neighbourhood connections when living alone with dementia. In: Ward R, Clark A & Phillipson L (eds.) Dementia and place: practices, experiences and connections. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 67-89. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/dementia-and-place


Book Chapter

Clark A, Campbell S, Keady J, Kullberg A, Manji K, Odzakovic E, Rummery K & Ward R (2021) Understanding the meaning of neighbourhoodS for people living with dementia: the value of a relational lens. In: Ward R, Clark A & Phillipson L (eds.) Dementia and place: practices, experiences and connections. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 23- 43. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/dementia-and-place


Book Chapter

Phillipson L, Clark A & Ward R (2021) Introduction: placing dementia. In: Ward R, Clark A & Phillipson L (eds.) Dementia and place: practices, experiences and connections. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 1- 22. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/dementia-and-place


Book Chapter

Ward R, Rummery K, Odzakovic E, Manji K, Kullberg A, Keady J, Clark A & Campbell S (2021) Enabling the neighbourhood: the case for rethinking dementia-friendly communities. In: Ward R, Clark A & Phillipson L (eds.) Dementia and Place: Practices, Experiences and Connections. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 94 -112. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/dementia-and-place


Book Chapter

Li X, Keady J & Ward R (2021) Visual stories and living with dementia: Developing and co-constructing a neighbourhood map with Diane and Dave to represent ageing-in-place. In: Williams S & Keady J (eds.) Participatory Case Study Work: Approaches, Authenticity and Application in Ageing Studies. Routledge Advances in Research Methods. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.


Book Chapter

Quirke M, Ward R, Harrison K & Cox A (2020) Citizen Audits: Developing a participatory place-based approach to dementia-enabling neighbourhoods. In: Bennett K, Fleming R & Zeisel J (eds.) World Alzheimer Report 2020: D​esign, Dignity, Dementia: Dementia-related design and the built environment Volume 1. London: Alzheimers Disease International, pp. 133-139. https://www.alz.co.uk/u/WorldAlzheimerReport2020Vol1.pdf


Book Chapter

Campbell S & Ward R (2018) Video and observation data as a method to document practice and performances of gender in the dementia care-based hair salon: practices and processes. In: Keady J, Hyden L, Johnson A & Swarbrick C (eds.) Social research methods in dementia studies: inclusion and innovation. Routledge Advances in Research Methods. London: Routledge, pp. 96-117. https://www.routledge.com/Social-Research-Methods-in-Dementia-Studies-Inclusion-and-Innovation/Keady-Hyden-Johnson-Swarbrick/p/book/9781138699205


Book Review

Ward R (2017) Paul Simpson, Middle-aged gay men, ageing and ageism: Over the rainbow?. Review of: Middle-aged gay men, ageing and ageism: Over the rainbow?, by Paul Simpson, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015, 264pp., ISBN 978-1-137-43523-1. Ageing and Society, 37 (4), pp. 875-877. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X16001586


Book Chapter

Ward R & Price E (2016) Reconceptualising dementia: towards a politics of senility. In: Westwood S & Price E (eds.) Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* individuals living with dementia: concepts, practice and rights. Routledge Advances in Sociology, 181. London: Routledge, pp. 65-78. https://www.routledge.com/products/9781138840690


Book Chapter

Ward R (2015) Hair and age. In: Twigg J & Martin W (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Cultural Gerontology. Routledge International Handbooks. London: Routledge, pp. 141-148. https://www.routledge.com/products/9780415631143


Book Review

Ward R (2014) Creating culturally appropriate outside spaces and experiences for people with dementia: using nature and the outdoors in person-centred care. Review of:
Mary Marshall and Jane Gilliard (eds), Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London, UK, 2014; 168 pp. ISBN: 978-1-84905-514-7. Dementia, 13 (6), pp. 859-860. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301214552599


Book Chapter

Holland C & Ward R (2012) On going grey. In: Ylanne V (ed.) Representing Ageing: Images and identities. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 115-131. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=409441


Book Chapter

River L & Ward R (2012) Polari's life story: Learning from Work with Older LGBT People. In: Ward R, Rivers I & Sutherland M (eds.) Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ageing: biographical approaches for inclusive care and support. London: Jessica Kingsley, pp. 135-149. http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849052573


Research Report

Ward R & Jones RL (2010) How can adult social services become more accessible and appropriate to LGBT people?. Outline Series. Dartington: Research in Practice for Adults. https://www.ripfa.org.uk/publications-resources/personalisation-and-community-capacity/87-how-can-adult-social-care-services-become-more-accessible-and-appropriate-to-lgbt-people-outlines-2010


Article

Dickson A, O'Brien G, Ward R, Allan D & O'Carroll R (2010) The impact of assuming the primary caregiver role following traumatic spinal cord injury: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the spouse's experience. Psychology and Health, 25 (9), pp. 1101-1120. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440903038949


Edited Book

Jones RL & Ward R (eds.) (2009) LGBT issues: looking beyond categories. Policy and Practice in Health and Social Care. Edinburgh: Dunedin Press. http://www.dunedinacademicpress.co.uk/display.asp?K=9781906716059&sf1=contributor&st1=%22Richard+Ward%22&m=1&dc=1


Edited Book

Ward R & Bytheway B (eds.) (2008) Researching age and multiple discrimination. Representation of Older People in Ageing Research Series, 8. London: Centre for Policy on Ageing / The Open University. http://www.cpa.org.uk/pubs/researchingageandmultiplediscrimination.html


Book Chapter

Ward R, Jones RL, Hughes J, Humberstone N & Pearson R (2008) Intersections of ageing and sexuality: accounts from older people. In: Ward R & Bytheway B (eds.) Researching age and multiple discrimination. Representation of Older People in Ageing Research series, 8. London: Centre for Policy on Ageing. http://www.cpa.org.uk/pubs/researchingageandmultiplediscrimination.html


Book Chapter

Bytheway B, Ward R, Holland C & Peace S (2007) The road to an age-inclusive society. In: Bernard M & Scharf T (eds.) Critical perspectives on ageing societies. Ageing and the Lifecourse series. Bristol: Policy Press. http://www.policypress.co.uk/display.asp?K=9781861348906


Book Review

Ward R (2006) The Encyclopedia of Ageism. Review of: The encyclopedia of ageism, EB Palmore, L Branch, DK Harris (eds),Binghamton, NY, Haworth Pastoral, 2005, 347 pp. ISBN 978 0 7890 1890 8. Ageing and Society, 26 (4), pp. 684-684. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X06315267


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