Karen Murrell

PhD Student

School of Health and Wellbeing

Association for Dementia Studies

Contact Details

email: murk1_26@uni.worc.ac.uk

Karen is a part time PhD student with the Association for Dementia Studies.

Karen’s research is exploring the features that constitute a ‘one stop shop’ for effective carer support in dementia. It is hoped that guidelines for effective carer support will be identified.

Karen is supervised by Dr Shirley Evans and Dr Peter Unwin.

Karen has been a qualified general nurse since 1986 and a nurse tutor since 1994. In a varied career of forty years Karen has fulfilled many leadership and strategic roles in both clinical and academic practice. More recently Karen has been working within the community sector providing bespoke education and consultancy for a range of care providers – promoting high quality person-centred care and training for effective dementia support. She also has personal experience of supporting her grandmother and father through their respective journeys living with dementia.

Karen is co-founder and volunteer at Dementia-friendly Alton (Alton Meeting Centre), where she now works with a Board of Trustees in coordinating a comprehensive programme of dementia support. The Alton Meeting Centre showcases best practice in dementia support across Hampshire.

In 2023 Karen undertook ‘LivDem’ training programme, so that the Living Well with Dementia programme could be delivered effectively at the Alton Meeting Centre for those who are newly diagnosed with dementia. Identifying a more effective programme for carer support is the next challenge for the Centre, a challenge which is also reflected nationally.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-murrell-921a833a8/

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9594-1693

Qualifications

MSc Policy and Professional Studies, University of Portsmouth

BA(Hons) Nursing with Education, University of Portsmouth (Registered Nurse Teacher)

Registered General Nurse, Winchester and Basingstoke School of Nursing

Level 3 Trainer Qualifications in First Aid at Work, Safeguarding and Mental Health First Aid

Level 3 Diploma in Indian Head Massage, Aromatherapy and Body Massage