University of Bradford professor awarded fellowship by the College of Occupational Therapists
Professor Gail Mountain, Chair of Applied Dementia Research at the University of Bradford, was announced as one of only three 2016 fellows who were recognised for their exceptional service and outstanding contribution to the profession.
The award of Fellowship is the highest honour the College can bestow on members.
Gail was a practising occupational therapist for 13 years before becoming involved in research. Her research interests are focussed upon improving the quality of life of older people through provision of appropriate interventions, good design and by facilitating participation, reflecting her occupational therapy background.
View Professor Gail Mountain's academic profile
Dementia is a longstanding clinical and research interest; Gail is a co-investigator for a trial called ‘Valuing active life in Dementia’ which is evaluating an occupational therapy intervention for people with dementia and their family supporters post diagnosis. She is also involved in the Promoting Independence in Dementia research programme which involves development and evaluation of a brief intervention for people with dementia following diagnosis. Gail is leading an EU project on outcome measures for psychosocial interventions in dementia and is involved in a UK project to identify a core outcome set for dementia trials. Most recently she was awarded an NIHR grant to conduct a randomised controlled trial of an occupational based group and individual based intervention 'Journeying through Dementia' which was developed through her previous MRC Lifelong Health and Wellbeing award.
Gail is also Associate Dean Research and Knowledge Transfer at the Faculty of Health Studies, and Professor of Health Services Research (assisted living research) within the Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Group at the University of Sheffield.
On hearing the news Gail said: “I am thrilled to receive this award. Throughout my research career I have carried the values and interests of occupational therapy with me so it is very special to be recognised in this way.
Every year members of the College are invited to nominate their colleagues for a Fellowship of the College of Occupational Therapists, or a Merit Award in recognition of their special contribution to the profession.
Julia Scott, Chief Executive, College of Occupational Therapists said: “It gives us great pleasure to award Gail with a Fellowship from the College for her outstanding contribution to the profession. I congratulate her on this well-deserved honour which recognises her pioneering research to improve the lives of people living with dementia.”
The other two fellows were Dr Sidney Chu, Company Director and Consultant Trainer / Therapist of Kid Power Therapy and Training Company Ltd and Professor Suzanne Martin, Professor of Occupational Therapy and Director of Academic Enterprise within the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences of Ulster University.
Gail will receive her award at a ceremony in London on 14 July 2016.