Dan Herron

Biography

I am a part-time PhD candidate in the School of Psychology and a research assistant in Primary Care and Health Sciences. I have been at Keele University since my undergraduate degree, where I was awarded a BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology, before returning in 2010 to obtain an MSc in Clinical Psychological Research. My MSc dissertation explored support workers’ knowledge of dementia in people with intellectual disabilities (Herron & Priest, 2013). 
At the same time as completing my MSc, I worked for a local care provider as an intellectual disability support worker; a combination of this role and my MSc research heavily influenced my decision to undertake a part-time PhD, which I started in 2013. 

My PhD aimed to:

• Explore the experiences and journeys of people with an intellectual disability living with dementia.
• Explore the experiences and journeys of carers.
• Critically explore how Dementia Care Pathways and the support systems in place influence their journey, experience of holistic care and support, and how may be best utilised

My principal research interests lie in the field of intellectual disability and dementia; however, I am also interested in behaviour change within health and more broadly, mental health. My expertise focus on qualitative research and inclusivity. Both underpin my research, which is informed by the experiences and knowledge of relevant stakeholders/ collaborators to ensure research is accessible and relevant.

Teaching

Between January 2014- June 2017, I was a teaching-fellow in the School of Psychology and responsible for providing teaching and learning support. I delivered seminars and laboratory practical classes to both first and second year students, whilst offering further support to students. I supported students on a one-to-one basis and in larger group settings during workshops and/or revision sessions. 
I contributed to setting and marking of exam scripts, as well as marking essays and laboratory reports (both formative and summative) of first and second year students. I have also supported teaching across other Schools within Keele University and other Higher Education institutes.

Teaching achievements –

• Awarded Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and HEA Fellowship 
• I have been nominated for Teaching Excellence Awards (2015-2016) at Keele University.

Selected Conference Presentations

• Ethical considerations when gaining informed consent from people with intellectual disabilities (09/06/13- 12/06/13). Oral presentation to International Conference: Using action research to strengthen the ethical climate of institutions of higher education, Bristol University.
• People with Intellectual disabilities and dementia: exploring holistic care and support provided by Dementia Care Pathways (12/09/13- 14/09/13). Poster presentation to MHID International Congress, Portugal.
• A Forgotten Population: People with both an Intellectual Disability and Dementia (25/06/14-26/06/14). Poster presentation to BPS Faculty for the Psychology of Older People (FPOP) Conference, Shrewsbury.
• The Subjective Experiences of Dementia: People with Intellectual Disabilities (10/09/2014). Poster presentation to BPS DHP Annual conference. York.
• Exploring dementia and people with an intellectual disability: A PhD study engaging people with an intellectual disability (15/07/15). Oral presentation to IALMH Congress, Vienna.
• Exploring dementia and people with ID (18/08/16). Oral presentation to IASSID World Conference, Melbourne.
• Exploring the experiences of Dementia in people with an Intellectual Disability (21-23/09/17). Oral presentation to EAMHID Congress, Luxembourg.