www. northumbria. ac. uk33 . To develop and evaluate innovative policies, services and practices that seek to optimise the life experiences of people and communities, working alongside other disciplines and organisations as necessary. . To undertake research and consultancy activity that explores the ways in which knowledge is used and created to effect development in the understanding and practice of professional activity. . To work with the School's knowledge transfer platforms to maximise impact and opportunity for research and development activity with both the statutory and non- statutory sectors. . To provide an environment for research and academic staff that optimises research governance, financial transparency and probity, career development and learning opportunities. The School takes this work forward through five interlinking research programmes: 1. Disability and Long- term Conditions Research Programme This research programme includes two major inter-linked strands of work: disability studies, and rehabilitation and long- term conditions. In relation to disability studies, research focuses on: . Developmental disability, which is driven by clinical concerns and applications. . People with learning disabilities, their family carers and inclusive service provisions with special reference to cultural diversity. . Social model of disability, notions of inclusion, engagement and independent living, and the development of participatory and emancipatory approaches to research. Rehabilitation and Long- term Conditions In relation to rehabilitation and long- term conditions, the research recognises that the main work in rehabilitation or living with a long- term condition is done by the individual themselves and the people around them, but there are times when access to health and social care professionals and organisations is required for assessment, rehabilitation, treatment, information, advice and support. Areas of activity include: . Investigating approaches to falls prevention, building on strong collaborations with local specialist clinicians from the medical, physiotherapy and occupational therapy fields in falls and community stroke services. . Neurological rehabilitation, particularly in the area of Parkinson's disease, with gait and communication as specific foci. . Dementia care research, highlighting the experiences of people with dementia; ways in which interpersonal and physical environments may be modified to support independence; and the ethical tensions that arise from variable perceptions of risk. . The analysis and evaluation of human movement and activity. Dr Pamela Inglis Acting Academic Head of Pre- registration Nursing " I have taught in Higher Education for the past 15 years and have recently completed a Doctorate in Nursing Science at Northumbria University. My research has consolidated my previous work experience in learning disabilities as well as looking at older people's services and nursing attributes. I found the Professional Doctorate offered me direction, a sound research base, excellent supervision and teaching - but above all it made the doctoral journey more interactive as I felt part of a cohort of people who were going through exactly what I was, at the same time. In my experience that is something you do not automatically get as a PhD student elsewhere." profile

34School of Health, Community and Education Studies . Service evaluation and development including community- based rehabilitation and the mapping of services. . The impact of service user involvement and inclusive practice on neuro- rehabilitation. . Describing and analysing interventions in a range of other long- term conditions, including cancer. 2. Ageing Studies Research Programme/ Centre for Collaborative Gerontology ( CCG) The Centre for Collaborative Gerontology is a research and development centre which aims to promote and support research for and with older people. The CCG has a commitment to: reflect the experiences of service users and providers by exploring access to, delivery of and outcomes from the range of services and agencies which provide them; developing innovations in provision, beginning with the experience of service users and the needs and preferences that they have and planning and evaluating provision accordingly; the development of knowledge which is led by service users. These studies involve older people as co- researchers, project managers, data analysers and presenters and have been carried out locally, nationally and internationally. Also CCG has developed guidelines for care in care homes, as part of our membership of the National Care Homes R+ D Forum and the development of guidelines for older people's involvement in research, policy and planning and leading the research strand of the Years Ahead Initiative. 3. Education and Organisational Development Research Programme The Education and Organisational Development Research programme contains some essential strands that complement each other, for instance: ' Service Improvement and Leadership' and ' Education'. Research from the former has focused upon systems to develop professionals in the workplace in order to improve patient care, for instance, the Health Care Assistants' development programmes and evaluation of the Leading Empowered Organisations programme. Both of these studies were interested in the impact of an educational initiative on individuals and hence the way in which this leads to organisational development. Education research similarly has centred on the impact of the work environment on the development of the individual teacher. Other research straddles these strands, such as the impact of the use of the world wide web in teaching nursing and the way that this affects clinical decision- making. 4. Children, Youth and Families ( CYF) Research Programme The Children, Youth and Families ( CYF) Research Programme develops and promotes high- quality research, scholarship and publications which will improve the quality of life of children, young people and their families on a regional, national and international basis. The CYF programme is equipped to provide research, evaluation and consultation to professionals and agencies in the fields of health, social work, education and related children's services, including: