Lesley PALMER is an architect and Professor of Ageing and Dementia Design within the Centre for Environments, Dementia and Ageing. Palmer works closely with the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling providing enterprise and consultancy services with a focus on the built environment.
Palmer is also a Director of Iridis Digital Ltd, a joint venture organisation within the University of Stirling established for the purposes of improving quality of life for longer through technology, research and the design of the built environment.
Lesley is an experienced architect with extensive international experience of designing and advising on dementia-friendly design principles; a non-pharmacological approach to supporting people living with dementia.
In addition to her roles at the University, Lesley is a voluntary Director to INCH Architecture & Design - a social enterprise architecture practice, and was the Co-chair of the Scottish Government’s Dementia and Housing sub-group, a Steering Group Member for the British Standards Institute PAS 6463: Design for the Mind, a member of the Dementia Ageing Research Group, University of Stirling, and External Steering Committee Member of the PRIDEM research project, Newcastle University. Lesley is involved in several research projects with a focus on ageing, dementia and the built environment.
architecture, technology & the built environment and it's impact on healthy ageing and 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
–
Cherish Investigator Led Proposal - demonstrating impact in housing, health and social care
PI: Professor Judith Phillips
Funded by: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
–
Designing for Ageing and Dementia International Research Network
PI: Professor Alison Bowes
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
–
Dementia Design Masterclass
PI:
Funded by: Delegates - Conferences
–
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
Book Chapter
Palmer L, Quirke M, Huang J & Phillips J (2024) The use of virtual reality to support participatory design processes in environmental design for cognitive change. In: Charras K, Hogervost E, Wallcook S, Kuliga S & Woods B (eds.) Creating Empowering Environments for People with Dementia: Addressing Inclusive Design from Homes to Cities. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003416241-8
Article
Comparative Analysis of 20-Minute Neighbourhood Policies and Practices in Melbourne and Scotland
Chau H, Gilzean I, Jamei E, Palmer L, Preece T & Quirke M (2022) Comparative Analysis of 20-Minute Neighbourhood Policies and Practices in Melbourne and Scotland. Urban Planning, 7 (4), pp. 13-24. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v7i4.5668
Policy Document
Living well at home: Housing and Dementia in Scotland
Palmer L (2022) Living well at home: Housing and Dementia in Scotland. The Scottish Government. Edinburgh. https://shop.dementia.stir.ac.uk/products/living-well-at-home-housing-and-dementia-in-scotland
Edited Book
Architecture for dementia. Stirling Gold: 2008-2020
Palmer L, Wallace K & Hutchinson L (eds.) (2021) Architecture for dementia. Stirling Gold: 2008-2020. Stirling, Scotland: University of Stirling. https://www.dementia.stir.ac.uk/
Book Chapter
A Manifesto for the Individual Narrative: Visual Art as More than a Therapeutic Tool
Palmer L & Fleming P (2021) A Manifesto for the Individual Narrative: Visual Art as More than a Therapeutic Tool. In: Mateus-Berr R & Gruber LV (eds.) Arts & Dementia: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 19-25. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110720556-003
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
Newspaper / Magazine
Palmer L (2020) Why green spaces, walkable neighbourhoods and life-enhancing buildings can all help in the fight against dementia. The Conversation. 25.09.2020.
