About
Karen Watchman is Professor of Ageing, Frailty and Dementia at the University of Stirling, Scotland, UK and Adjunct Professor at the University of Limerick, Ireland. She has developed and delivers award-winning training for health and social care staff on intellectual disability and dementia. Her evidence-based resources and accessible guides for people with an intellectual disability have been widely translated, such as Jenny’s Diary.
Drawing on her experience as a former Chief Executive of Down Syndrome Scotland where she first worked alongside people with Down syndrome, Karen now leads a research team that includes co-researchers and advisors with an intellectual disability and dementia.
Karen is a member of the international committee of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices, USA, and is Secretary of Down Syndrome Research Group for the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IASSIDD). She is a reviewer for the WHO Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange Platform.
Karen has received funding from The Dunhill Medical Trust, The British Academy/UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund, Alzheimer’s Society, RS MacDonald Charitable Trust, Alzheimer Scotland, Chief Scientist Office, The Health Foundation and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karenwatchman