The Open University team
Dr Jitka Vseteckova
Jitka is Senior Lecturer whose research focuses on ageing, mental health, physical exercise, technology utilisation, facilitating learning and education in later life and all that leads to ageing well. Jitka is a member of the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies, Social History of Learning Disability Research Group and Co Chair for Carers Research Group in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language studies at The Open University, European Society for Research on the Education of Adults and is currently working with several NHS organisations. http://www.open.ac.uk/people/jv2595
Jitka is Senior Lecturer whose research focuses on ageing, mental health, physical exercise, technology utilisation, facilitating learning and education in later life and all that leads to ageing well. Jitka is a member of the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies, Social History of Learning Disability Research Group and Co Chair for Carers Research Group in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language studies at The Open University, European Society for Research on the Education of Adults and is currently working with several NHS organisations. http://www.open.ac.uk/people/jv2595
Dr Nichola Kentzer
Nichola is a Lecturer in Sport, Exercise and Coaching and is a Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) Practitioner Psychologist (Sport & Exercise). Nichola’s research interests include the wellbeing of informal carers and their use of physical activity and developing education and professional development opportunities for informal carers. Nichola is a member of the Carers Research Group in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language studies at The Open University.
Nichola is a Lecturer in Sport, Exercise and Coaching and is a Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) Practitioner Psychologist (Sport & Exercise). Nichola’s research interests include the wellbeing of informal carers and their use of physical activity and developing education and professional development opportunities for informal carers. Nichola is a member of the Carers Research Group in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language studies at The Open University.
Dr Gemma Ryan
Gemma’s background is in community nursing, endoscopy, clinical research, private and NHS nursing and teaching in further and higher education. Gemma also works as a clinical nurse in elderly care. Her research interests include realist methodologies, realist review, ethnography, social media and online social networks and professionalism in nursing and healthcare. She is a Lecturer in Nursing in the Open University School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care.
Gemma’s background is in community nursing, endoscopy, clinical research, private and NHS nursing and teaching in further and higher education. Gemma also works as a clinical nurse in elderly care. Her research interests include realist methodologies, realist review, ethnography, social media and online social networks and professionalism in nursing and healthcare. She is a Lecturer in Nursing in the Open University School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care.
Dr Rosaria Gracia
Trained as a Political Scientist and Sociologist, Rosaria has developed her research career on a variety of issues including Public Health research on the impact of movement, dance, physical activity on one’s health and wellbeing and initiatives directed to increase mobility and activity amongst older adults. She is Lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences and in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Languages at the Open University.
Trained as a Political Scientist and Sociologist, Rosaria has developed her research career on a variety of issues including Public Health research on the impact of movement, dance, physical activity on one’s health and wellbeing and initiatives directed to increase mobility and activity amongst older adults. She is Lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences and in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Languages at the Open University.
Jane Abington, MSc
Jane has a background in public health, having worked as a Research Assistant on the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, and has a research interest in physical activity in older adults. She is Research Ethics Manager at the Open University.
Jane has a background in public health, having worked as a Research Assistant on the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, and has a research interest in physical activity in older adults. She is Research Ethics Manager at the Open University.
Dr Joanna Horne
Jo has a long history of teaching research methods and statistics in Psychology at the University of Hull. She now works primarily in research within educational, health and social care environments, on a consultancy basis. Jo is also an Associate Lecturer on sport and exercise psychology modules within the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at the Open University. She is working on several projects with colleagues at the Open University researching physical activity in different groups.
Jo has a long history of teaching research methods and statistics in Psychology at the University of Hull. She now works primarily in research within educational, health and social care environments, on a consultancy basis. Jo is also an Associate Lecturer on sport and exercise psychology modules within the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at the Open University. She is working on several projects with colleagues at the Open University researching physical activity in different groups.
Dr Melinda Spencer
Melinda is Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead for Joint Honours Health Studies at the University of Northampton. Melinda’s main research interests are family life transitions and relationships, familial carers, dancing for health and wellbeing, visual methods and experiential research methodologies. Melinda is also part of a group of researchers at the University of Northampton working with Northamptonshire Sport to explore Hotspots of physical inactivity within the county and the impact and evaluation of social prescribing.
Melinda is Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead for Joint Honours Health Studies at the University of Northampton. Melinda’s main research interests are family life transitions and relationships, familial carers, dancing for health and wellbeing, visual methods and experiential research methodologies. Melinda is also part of a group of researchers at the University of Northampton working with Northamptonshire Sport to explore Hotspots of physical inactivity within the county and the impact and evaluation of social prescribing.
Dr Manik Gopinath
Trained as an architect and town planner, Manik Gopinath’s research centres on intersections of ageing, place and wellbeing. She is a Lecturer in Ageing in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at The Open University, and a member of the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies.
Trained as an architect and town planner, Manik Gopinath’s research centres on intersections of ageing, place and wellbeing. She is a Lecturer in Ageing in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at The Open University, and a member of the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies.
Dr Caroline Holland
Following a career in public sector housing, Caroline Holland’s work focusses on ageing, environments, technologies, and learning in later life. She is a Senior Research Fellow and member of the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at The Open University.
Following a career in public sector housing, Caroline Holland’s work focusses on ageing, environments, technologies, and learning in later life. She is a Senior Research Fellow and member of the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at The Open University.
Dr Erica Borgstrom
Erica is an anthropologist who is interested in healthcare, everyday living, and later life. She is a Lecturer in End-of-Life Care and Medical Anthropology in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at the Open University.
Erica is an anthropologist who is interested in healthcare, everyday living, and later life. She is a Lecturer in End-of-Life Care and Medical Anthropology in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at the Open University.
Dr Adele Pacini
Adele has a research background in cognitive science, looking at the role of the body in cognitive processing and self related meaning. She currently practices as a clinical psychologist specialising in later life mental health care and dementia in the NHS. Her research interests include the effects of mindfulness practice on preventing and stabilising cognitive decline in older adults, alongside dementia awareness and education in developing nations.
Adele has a research background in cognitive science, looking at the role of the body in cognitive processing and self related meaning. She currently practices as a clinical psychologist specialising in later life mental health care and dementia in the NHS. Her research interests include the effects of mindfulness practice on preventing and stabilising cognitive decline in older adults, alongside dementia awareness and education in developing nations.
Dr Klára Daďová
Klara is HoD of Adapted Physical Education and Sports Medicine at Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague. Klara is interested in physiotherapy and sports therapy for people with special needs including older people. She has participated on research projects aimed at exercise therapy for cardiac patients, benefits of exercise for elderly, exercise adherence and exercise-related metabolic changes. Klara also leads courses for caregivers which are aimed at home exercise for older people.
Klara is HoD of Adapted Physical Education and Sports Medicine at Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague. Klara is interested in physiotherapy and sports therapy for people with special needs including older people. She has participated on research projects aimed at exercise therapy for cardiac patients, benefits of exercise for elderly, exercise adherence and exercise-related metabolic changes. Klara also leads courses for caregivers which are aimed at home exercise for older people.
Dr Angel Chater
Angel is a Health Psychologist and Reader in Health Psychology and Behaviour Change, based at the University of Bedfordshire where she leads the Centre for Health, Wellbeing and Behaviour Change. She manages a number of behaviour change interventions such as the ‘Active Herts’ programme, supporting adults at risk of heart disease and poor mental health, and the ‘BABYSTEPS’ project using physical activity to support young people after parental death. Angel has worked as a practitioner psychologist through the Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s Specialist Obesity Service. She is the Chair of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Health Psychology and a co-founder and the past Chair of the Behavioural Science and Public Health Network.
Angel is a Health Psychologist and Reader in Health Psychology and Behaviour Change, based at the University of Bedfordshire where she leads the Centre for Health, Wellbeing and Behaviour Change. She manages a number of behaviour change interventions such as the ‘Active Herts’ programme, supporting adults at risk of heart disease and poor mental health, and the ‘BABYSTEPS’ project using physical activity to support young people after parental death. Angel has worked as a practitioner psychologist through the Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s Specialist Obesity Service. She is the Chair of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Health Psychology and a co-founder and the past Chair of the Behavioural Science and Public Health Network.
Dr Erica Cook
Erica is a Registered Health Psychologist and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire. Erica’s research is centred on how we can reduce health inequalities, improve health outcomes and empower individuals who reside in culturally diverse and socially disadvantaged communities. She is also interested in e-health and digital technology and the role this can play in reducing healthcare inequalities.
Erica is a Registered Health Psychologist and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire. Erica’s research is centred on how we can reduce health inequalities, improve health outcomes and empower individuals who reside in culturally diverse and socially disadvantaged communities. She is also interested in e-health and digital technology and the role this can play in reducing healthcare inequalities.