Research Statement

My research interests focus on enhancing the provision of support for family carers of individuals living with a chronic illness, in particular dementia,  with a focus on the availability of peer support facilities. I am also interested in improving the awareness and understanding of dementia within the general public of all ages, and within the healthcare professions. I also complete research on  communication and decision-making for family carers and patients within palliative care, in particular for individuals living with dementia and in the support of patients and family carers who are transitioning to palliative care.  

I have helped design and conduct a cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the use of Advance Care Planning for individuals living with dementia residing in nursing homes, and the international implementation of this.  As part of a team we have co-designed a serious game to improve attitudes towards dementia (www.dementiagame.com) which is now being developed for children and is being adapted for international use. Currently my international work also focuses on the needs analysis of informal dementia carers in Vietnam and the development of support resouces.

Research Interests

Chronic illness, palliative care, neurodegenerative disease, aged care

Leadership Roles

Member of PhD Mentoring Scheme

Post-Doctoral Co-Representative

Member of Staff Development Committee 

Member of Postdoctoral Development Centre Network

Teaching Roles

Undergraduate modules:

Evidence Based Nursing 2 - Year 2 (NFM 2121)

Essential Pharmacology  - Year 2 (NFM 2123)

Applied Life Science - Year 2 (NFM 2122) - Module Co-ordinator

Postgraduate modules:

Master class workshops – PhD students

Evidence Based Practice (HSN 7076) - Module Co-ordinator

Post-registration modules

Models of Dementia (HSN 3031)

Current Graduate Supervision
MSc students

PhD students

Currently Funded Research Projects

Principle Investigator in:

Carter G., Santin O., Parsons C., Ho Thi H., Building a Partnership and Action Plan to Support the Identified Priority Needs of Informal Dementia Carers in Vietnam 2020-2021

Carter G., Santin O., Parsons C., Monaghan C., Mitchell G., Ho Thi H Supporting the needs of Informal Dementia Carers in Vietnam 2022

Carter, G., Brazil, K., and McLaughlin, D., (2016 - 2017) Reducing Hospital Admissions of People with Dementia from Nursing Homes: The Role of Anticipatory Care Planning. Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network (GAIN)

Co-investigator in:

Brown-Wilson C., Mitchell G. and Carter G Coproduction of a digital game about dementia for primary school children 2021 - 2022

Brazil K., Carter G., McCann A., Mitchell G., Preston N., Harding A., Finucane A.  Necessary discussions: Advance care planning for nursing homes in a COVID-19 outbreak 2020-2021

Brown-Wilson C., Mitchell G. and Carter G Developing a digital game to improve public perception of dementia 2018

Brazil, K., Brown-Wilson, C. and Carter, G. (2019 - present) Scaling up the Family Carer Decision Support Intervention: A multi-site implementation evaluation. Alzheimer's Society - Implementation Grant 

Brazil, K., Brown-Wilson, C. and Carter, G. (2019 - present) Scaling up the Family Carer Decision Support Intervention: A transnational effectiveness-implementation evaluation. JPND Multinational research projects on Health and Social Care

Brazil, K., Cardwell, C, Carter, G. et al (2018 - present) Anticipatory care planning intervention for older adults at risk of functional decline. CHITIN

Brazil, K., Galway, K., McLaughlin, D., Carter, G., and Scott, A. (2013 – present) Improving palliative care in advanced dementia collaborative network. HSC R&D Office Northern Ireland.

Completed Research Projects

Research Fellow in:

Brazil, K., Clarke, M., Froggatt, K., Hudson, P., Kernohan, G., McLaughlin, D., Passmore, P. (2014- 2017). Promoting informed decision making and effective communication through advance care planning for people living with dementia and their family carers.  The Atlantic Philanthropies and HSC Public Health

Brazil, K., Galway, K., Van Der Steen, J., Watson, M. (2013 – 2014). General practitioners perceptions on palliative care for Individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other progressive dementias. Care to Know Centre, Applied Client-focused Team research Grants program, Canada.