Senior Research Fellow
Faculty of Social Sciences 4S26, Colin Bell Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Dr Alison Dawson is a Senior Research Fellow based in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling. An applied sociologist, she draws on a unique blend of business-oriented academic qualifications and public and private sector regulatory work experience to identify, analyse, and understand challenges to social policy and practice and offer workable solutions and recommendations for action. A valued member of the Faculty's Dementia and Ageing Research Group (now Centre for Environment, Dementia and Ageing Research) for more than a decade, her research has examined and evaluated a range of policies and practices aimed at supporting and/or improving the wellbeing of vulnerable older people in different contexts. Her current research interests include dementia and sight loss, the role of technology in providing support services for older people, time use in unpaid care/support, promoting movement and activity in care homes, the role of physical environment design in supporting people with dementia, particularly in the context of Covid-19, and the social, economic and health use impacts of 'Covid fear'.
Whilst primarily a researcher, she delivers occasional lectures on her areas of specialism on a range of undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses. Alison was module co-ordinator and delivered the SPCU9JK ‘Ageing, Society and Social Policy' undergraduate module for Spring 2016, receiving a Recognising Achievement in Teaching Excellence (RATE) award from the University's Student Union in respect of this.
Alison has been co-Leader of the Faculty's Dementia and Ageing Research Group since August 2019 and is now Deputy Director of the Centre for Environment, Dementia and Ageing Research ('CEDAR'). Her previous contributions to wider academic life at the University of Stirling include memberships of the General University Ethics Panel, FoSS Contract Researchers' Forum, and Faculty Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Group. Outside of work, she is a former Community Councillor and the manager of a struggling Fantasy Football team.
Current research interests include: dementia and sight loss; the role of technology in providing support services for older people; time use in unpaid care/support; promoting movement and activity in care homes; and the role of design in supporting and enabling people with dementia.
Designing homes for healthy cognitive ageing: co-production for impact and scale (DesHCA)
PI: Professor Alison Bowes
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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GOALD: Connectivity and Digital Design for Health and Well-being Across Generations, Places and Spaces
PI: Professor Catherine Hennessy
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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The impact of COVID-19 Fear: evidence to inform social, health and economic recovery - a Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS) study
PI: Dr Elaine Douglas
Funded by: UK Research and Innovation
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Personalised physical activity for people with dementia in care homes
PI: Professor Alison Bowes
Funded by: The Healthcare Management Trust
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Social Isolation and Technology Guidelines Project
PI: Professor Louise McCabe
Funded by: NHS National Services Scotland
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Scoping exercise to support bid for project exploring the potential of technolgoy to address social isolation in Scotland
PI: Professor Louise McCabe
Funded by: Scottish Government
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Evaluation of the activities and impact of Dementia Friendly Communities CIC
PI: Dr Alison Dawson
Funded by: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
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Sight loss, dementia and meaningful activity: A scoping study’
PI: Dr Alison Dawson
Funded by: Thomas Pocklington Trust
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Best practice in the design of residential environments for people with dementia & sight loss - Stage 1
PI:
Funded by: Thomas Pocklington Trust
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Promotion of dementia standards: literature review
PI: Professor Alison Bowes
Funded by: Care Inspectorate
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Dementia-friendly Stirling: Scoping review and baseline study
PI: Dr Alison Dawson
Funded by: Dementia Services Development Trust
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Exploring the role of third sector interventions in reducing Scottish older people's use of formal health and social care resources
PI: Dr Alison Dawson
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council and Scottish Council Voluntary Organisation
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Current and future services for people with dementia and their carers: a study to support the Royal Surgical Aid Society in shaping the charity's future direction
PI: Dr Alison Dawson
Funded by: AgeCare (Royal Surgical Aid Society)
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An assessment of the operation of the Named Person role and its interaction with other forms of patient representation
PI: Dr Kathryn Mackay
Funded by: Scottish Government
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Article
Learning about design for dementia: lessons from a Japan–UK network
Bowes A, Dawson A, Copland F, Gibson G, Hotta S, Ishikawa S, Ito M, Kiuchi D, Koreki A, Lovatt M, McCall V, Palmer L, Quirke M, Phillips J & Rutherford A (2024) Learning about design for dementia: lessons from a Japan–UK network. Cogent Gerontology, 3 (1). https://doi.org/10.1080/28324897.2024.2397951
Article
Bowes A, Dawson A, Davison L & Pemble C (2024) Outcomes of home design to support healthy cognitive ageing: modified e-Delphi exercise with older people and housing-related professionals. BMC Geriatrics, 24 (1), Art. No.: 546 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05085-z
Article
Jepson RG, Dawson A, McCabe L, Greasley-Adams C, Biggs H & Bowes A (2023) Development of an intervention programme theory to increase movement in care homes for people with cognitive impairment: Care homes achieving realistic movement strategies (CHARMS). Evaluation and Program Planning, 100, Art. No.: 102348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102348
Article
Bowes A, Davison L, Dawson A, Pemble C, Quirke M & Swift S (2023) Housing Design Evaluation Research for People Living with Cognitive Change: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Aging and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1080/26892618.2023.2223589
Article
Arakelyan S, Brown T, McCabe L, McGregor L, Comerford D, Dawson A, Bell D, Douglas C, Houston J & Douglas E (2023) The social, health and economic impact of COVID-19 – Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS): a protocol for a mixed-methods study. BMJ Open, 13 (2), Art. No.: e061427. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061427
Research Report
COVID-19 and You: Impact & Recovery Study
Dawson A, Brown T, Pemble C & Douglas E (2022) COVID-19 and You: Impact & Recovery Study [A literature review to inform the development of a UK specific instrument to measure COVID-19 fear]. UKRI. https://www.hagis.scot/reports
Research Report
HAGIS COVID Impact & Recovery Executive Summary Report
Douglas E, Bell D, Dawson A, Brown T, Pemble C, Houston J, Comerford D, Olivarius O, Duggan A, McCabe L, Douglas C, McGregor L & Coutts-Murray K (2022) HAGIS COVID Impact & Recovery Executive Summary Report. UKRI. Stirling. https://www.hagis.scot/reports
Article
Care home residents on the move: The significance of cultural context for physical activity
Bowes A, Dawson A, Greasley-Adams C, Jepson R & McCabe L (2022) Care home residents on the move: The significance of cultural context for physical activity. Ageing and Society, 42 (8), pp. 1899-1920. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X20001920
Commentary
There is no place like home … but things could be better
Berta W & Dawson A (2021) There is no place like home … but things could be better. HealthcarePapers, 20 (1), pp. 51-58. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcpap.2021.26640
Article
McCabe L, Dawson A, Douglas E & Barry N (2021) Using Technology the Right Way to Support Social Connectedness for Older People in the Era of COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (16), p. 8725. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168725
Article
Pringle J, Jepson R, Dawson A, McCabe L & Bowes A (2021) How does physical activity benefit people living with dementia? A systematic review to identify the potential mechanisms of action. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 22 (1), pp. 3-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-09-2020-0046
Preprint / Working Paper
Comerford D, Olivarius O, Dawson A, Brown T, Bell D, McGregor L, Pemble C, McCabe L & Douglas E (2021) Did Negative News Regarding the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine end in Vaccine Hesitancy? A Repeated Cross-Section Event Study from the UK.
Other
Dawson A, Pemble C, Brown T, Comerford D, Olivarius O, McGregor L, Bell D & Douglas E (2021) A rapid review of the development and validation of instruments specifically designed to assess or measure 'COVID-19 fear'. National Institute for Health Research. PROSPERO 2021, CRD42021250233. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021250233
Book Chapter
Dawson A, Blair Berta W, Morton-Chang F, Palmer L & Quirke M (2020) Long term care and the coronavirus pandemic: a new role for environmental design in a changing context. In: Fleming R, Zeisel J & Bennett K (eds.) World Alzheimer Report 2020. Design, Dignity, Dementia: Dementia-related design and the built environment. Volume I. World Alzheimer Report. London: Alzheimer's Disease International, pp. 238-245. https://www.alz.co.uk/u/WorldAlzheimerReport2020Vol1.pdf
Book Chapter
United Kingdom: Environmental design education in a changing world
Dawson A & Palmer L (2020) United Kingdom: Environmental design education in a changing world. In: Fleming R, Zeisel J & Bennett K (eds.) World Alzheimer Report 2020. Design, Dignity, Dementia: Dementia-related design and the built environment, Volume I. World Alzheimer Report. London: Alzheimer’s Disease International, pp. 208-215. https://www.alz.co.uk/research/world-report-2020
Article
Time for care: exploring time use by carers of older people
Bowes A, Dawson A & Ashworth R (2020) Time for care: exploring time use by carers of older people. Ageing and Society, 40 (8), pp. 1735-1758. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X19000205
Research Report
Using technology to promote social connectedness: Insights from the T&Scon project
McCabe L, Dawson A, Douglas E, Bowes A, Wilson M & Pemble C (2020) Using technology to promote social connectedness: Insights from the T&Scon project. University of Stirling. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/public-policy-hub/policy-briefings/
Authored Book
Designing Environments for People with Dementia: A Systematic Literature Review
Bowes A & Dawson A (2019) Designing Environments for People with Dementia: A Systematic Literature Review. Emerald Points. Bingley: Emerald. https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/doi/10.1108/9781787699717
Research Report
Volunteering for All: national framework - literature review
Rutherford A, Bu F, Dawson A & McCall V (2019) Volunteering for All: national framework - literature review. Scottish Government. Social Research: People, Communities and Places. https://www.gov.scot/publications/literature-review-scotlands-volunteering-outcomes-framework/
Article
Bowes A, Dawson A, Greasley-Adams C & McCabe L (2018) Developing best practice guidelines for designing living environments for people with dementia and sight loss. Ageing and Society, 38 (5), pp. 900-925. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X16001409
Article
RemoDem: Delivering support for people with dementia in remote areas
Bowes A, Dawson A & McCabe L (2018) RemoDem: Delivering support for people with dementia in remote areas. Dementia, 17 (3), pp. 297-214. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301216643848
Research Report
Sight loss, dementia and meaningful activity: A scoping study
Dawson A, Pemble C & Theakstone D (2016) Sight loss, dementia and meaningful activity: A scoping study. Thomas Pocklington Trust. Thomas Pocklington Trust. http://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/project/sight-loss-dementia-and-meaningful-activity/
Article
Bowes A, Dawson A, Greasley-Adams C & McCabe L (2016) Design of residential environments for people with dementia and sight loss: a structured literature review. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 34 (3), pp. 225-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264619616653991
Article
Dawson A, Bowes A, Kelly F, Velzke K & Ward R (2015) Evidence of what works to support and sustain care at home for people with dementia: A literature review with a systematic approach. BMC Geriatrics, 15 (1), Art. No.: 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-015-0053-9
Article
Dougall N, Lambert P, Maxwell M, Dawson A, Sinnott R, McCafferty S, Morris C, Clark D & Springbett A (2014) Deaths by suicide and their relationship with general and psychiatric hospital discharge: 30-year record linkage study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 204 (4), pp. 267-273. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.112.122374
Article
Physical activity for people with dementia: A scoping study
Bowes A, Dawson A, Jepson R & McCabe L (2013) Physical activity for people with dementia: A scoping study. BMC Geriatrics, 13 (1), Art. No.: 129. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-13-129
Research Report
Literature review: the cost effectiveness of assistive technology in supporting people with dementia
Bowes A, Dawson A & Greasley-Adams C (2013) Literature review: the cost effectiveness of assistive technology in supporting people with dementia. The Atlantic Philanthropies. Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling. http://dementia.stir.ac.uk/system/files/filedepot/1/the_cost_effectiveness_of_assistive_technology_in_supporting_people_with_dementia_october_13_1.pdf
Research Report
Counting the Cost of Choice and Control: Evidence for the costs of self-directed support in Scotland
Rummery K, Bell D, Bowes A, Dawson A & Roberts JE (2012) Counting the Cost of Choice and Control: Evidence for the costs of self-directed support in Scotland. Scottish Government. Scottish Government Social Research Series. Scottish Government Social Research. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch
Article
Long-term care for older people and EU Law: The position in England and Scotland
Hervey T, Stark A, Dawson A, Fernandez J, Matosevic T & McDaid D (2012) Long-term care for older people and EU Law: The position in England and Scotland. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 34 (1), pp. 105-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/09649069.2012.675468
Article
Ethical implications of lifestyle monitoring data in ageing research
Bowes A, Dawson A & Bell D (2012) Ethical implications of lifestyle monitoring data in ageing research. Information Communication and Society, 15 (1), pp. 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2010.530673
Research Report
Physical activity for people with dementia: A Scoping Study
Bowes A, Dawson A, Jepson R & McCabe L (2011) Physical activity for people with dementia: A Scoping Study. Scottish Government - Chief Scientist Office. Chief Scientist Office. http://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/Publications/ExecSumms/OctNov11/MH_Bowes.pdf
Article
Ateljevic J & Dawson A (2010) Business incubators: new mechanism for economic/enterprise development or passing fad? Exploring complex relationship of the growing phenomenon in the context of Scotland. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 12 (2/2010), pp. 217-240. http://inderscience.metapress.com/content/p1u684nh865m6362/; https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEIM.2010.034422
Article
Warner G, Blum JM, Jones S, Lambert P, Turner KJ, Tan KLL, Dawson A & Bell D (2010) A Social Science Data Fusion Tool and the Data Management through e-Social Science (DAMES) Infrastructure. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 368 (1925), pp. 3859-3873. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2010.0159
Article
Some useful sources on harm, abuse, agency and resilience across the lifespan
Dawson A (2010) Some useful sources on harm, abuse, agency and resilience across the lifespan. Social Policy and Society, 9 (2), pp. 305-309. https://doi.org/10.1017/S147474640999042X
Research Report
Analysis of the Costs of Domiciliary and Personal Care in Wales: Some Direct Evidence
Bell D & Dawson A (2009) Analysis of the Costs of Domiciliary and Personal Care in Wales: Some Direct Evidence. Welsh Government. Welsh Assembly Government.
Article
Blum JM, Warner G, Jones S, Lambert P, Dawson A, Tan KLL & Turner KJ (2009) Metadata Creation, Transformation and Discovery for Social Science Data Management: The DAMES Project Infrastructure. IASSIST Quarterly, 33 (1), pp. 23-30. http://www.iassistdata.org/iq/issue/33/1
Research Report
Dawson A, Ferguson I, Mackay K & Maxwell M (2009) An Assessment of the Operation of the Named Person Role and its Interaction with other Forms of Patient Representation. Scottish Government - Health & Social Care - Health & Social Care Integration. Edinburgh: Scottish Government. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/03/09103446/0
Research Report
Free Personal Care in Scotland: Recent Developments
Bell D, Bowes A & Dawson A (2007) Free Personal Care in Scotland: Recent Developments. Joseph Rowntree Foundation. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/2075-scotland-care-older-people.pdf
Article
Future costs of long-term care for older people - some useful sources
Dawson A (2007) Future costs of long-term care for older people - some useful sources. Social Policy and Society, 6 (3), pp. 461-466. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746407003764
Whilst primarily a researcher, Alison delivers occasional lectures on her areas of specialism on a range of undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses. She was module co-ordinator and delivered the SPCU9JK ‘Ageing, Society and Social Policy' undergraduate module for Spring 2016, receiving a Recognising Achievement in Teaching Excellence (RATE) award from the University's Student Union in respect of this.
