Stirling expert receives fellowship to conduct international research 

A leading expert from the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling has received a renowned Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship. 

Lesley Palmer, Chief Architect at the DSDC, will use her Fellowship to research dementia design and urbanisation in Japan, and how it compares to the UK. During her research, Ms Palmer will investigate how the urban environment of Fukuoka – Japan's fastest growing city - supports healthy cognitive ageing. 

After identifying good practice examples and case studies, she will share her findings through the DSDC’s extensive network of partner organisations in the UK, Japan, and around the globe.   

Ms Palmer said: “I’m extremely proud to receive this Fellowship, and believe it will enable me to build on my experience so far to increase my knowledge of innovative methods of design in Japan. I hope that this Fellowship will allow me to help improve awareness of the impact of urban design on healthy ageing. 

“There are initiatives and design precedents in Japan which can make an important contribution to how we design and support healthy ageing in our cities in the UK. The DSDC has an important role to play in that and this opportunity will allow us to further enhance the range of services we offer.” 

_{Lesley Palmer has received a Churchill Fellowship to pursue research on dementia design and urbanisation in Japan.}

The DSDC is an internationally renowned centre of knowledge and expertise, dedicated to improving the lives of people with dementia.

Drawing on research and practice, from across the globe, it provides comprehensive and up-to-date resources on all aspects of dementia. 

Ms Palmer is one of just 141 UK citizens to receive a Churchill Fellowship this year. The initiative, run by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, provides overseas research grants to UK citizens to investigate innovative solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges. 

At the heart of the Trust is a simple but enduring concept; to empower individuals to learn from the world, for the benefit of the UK.