Ageing and Dementia Studies

The PhD/MPhil programme will provide a dedicated route for high calibre students who (may have a specific research aim in mind and) are ready to carry out independent research leading to postdoctoral status. Alternatively it would be appropriate for students who are seeking a high level qualification suitable for a career in research with transferable skills for graduate employment. Structure The Dementia Services Development Centre, also known as DSDC, uses the ‘four paper’ model for its PhD programme whereby the thesis comprises four pieces of independent but related research that are of a publishable standard in a high quality peer reviewed journal.

In addition to the support of the research project’s supervisors and from fellow postgraduate research and professional researchers within the Dementia Services Development Centre, there will also be the opportunity to undertake taught modules at postgraduate level as well as attend workshops and courses provided for postgraduate research students by the University’s Academic Development Unit. Any taught modules and courses will not count as credits towards this or any other qualification but, if identified as being of developmental value by the student and the supervisory team, will provide the extra skills and knowledge needed to undertake postgraduate research. Dementia Services Development Centre The Dementia Services Development Centre, was founded in 1999.

In collaboration with Cardiff & Vale UHB, DSDC Wales is one of a network of centres in the DSDC Network throughout the British Isles which conduct research and promote service development and training in the field of dementia care. Research is conducted on a local and national level within Wales with the research centre in Bangor being the lead for the Wales Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (NEURODEM Cymru) but there are also strong collaborative links with researchers across the UK, Europe and elsewhere in the world. DSDC is active across a wide range of ageing and dementia research activities and these can be broadly categorised (i) dementia care (including Alzheimer’s disease, family care-giving and psychosocial interventions); (ii) gerontology; and (iii) well-being and resilience across the life-span.

Research Opportunities ‘Ageing & Dementia@Bangor’/DSDC and the Bangor Institute of Health and Medical Research (BIHMR) have partnership arrangements with a range of health and social care organisations, including the NHS, Local Authorities and Housing Associations. This enables postgraduate researchers to establish links within an applied context.