Background

I am a social researcher with a background in medical sociology and a particular interest in health technologies. I am currently a member of the Ageing team working on projects relating to dementia. My previous work has mainly been in the area of tissue donation.

Qualifications

PhD Science and Technology Studies, The University of Edinburgh, 2016 

MA Social Research (with Distinction), The University of Warwick, 2011

BA (hons) Sociology with a Specialism in Research Methods, The University of Warwick, 2010

Membership

British Sociological Association (North East MedSoc Group, steering committee)

Feminist and Women's Studies Association (executive committee)

Association for Studies in Innovation Science and Technology 

Current Projects

Primary Care-led Post-Diagnostic Dementia Care (PriDem)

This study aims to improve dementia care through primary-care led support following diagnosis. 

Past Projects

Developing an Intervention for Fall-Related Injuries in Dementia (DIFRID)

The overall aim of this study was to assess through a series of work packages whether it was possible to design a complex intervention to improve the outcome of fall-related injuries in people with dementia living in their own homes.

• Wheatley A. “One of the good guys”: sperm donor masculinity and the falling Danish sperm count discourse. Culture, Health & Sexuality 2019, 21(5), 495-509.
• Allan LM, Wheatley A, Smith A, Flynn E, Homer T, Robalino S, Beyer FR, Fox C, Howel D, Barber R, Connolly JA, Robinson L, Parry SW, Rochester L, Corner L, Bamford C. An intervention to improve outcomes of falls in dementia: the DIFRID mixed-methods feasibility study. Health Technology Assessment 2019, 23(59), 1-208.
• Wheatley A, Bamford C, Shaw C, Flynn E, Smith A, Beyer F, Fox C, Barber R, Parry SW, Howel D, Homer TM, Robinson AL, Allan L. Developing an Intervention for Fall-Related Injuries in Dementia (DIFRID): an integrated, mixed-methods approach. BMC Geriatrics 2019, 19, 57.
• Bamford C, Wheatley A, Shaw C, Allan L. Equipping staff with the skills to maximise recovery of people with dementia after an injurious fall. Aging and Mental Health 2019, 23(11), 1524-1532.
• Allan LM, Wheatley A, Smith A, Flynn E, Homer T, Robalino S, Beyer F, Fox C, Howel D, Barber R, Connolly JA, Robinson L, Parry SW, Rochester L, Corner L, Bamford C. An intervention to improve outcomes of falls in dementia: the DIFRID mixed-methods feasibility study. Health Technology Assessment 2019. In Press.
• Wheatley A. Missing a step: fragmented pathways of care for people with dementia following a fall. London: British Geriatrics Society, 2019. Available at: https://www.bgs.org.uk/blog/missing-a-step-fragmented-pathways-of-care-for-people-with-dementia-following-a-fall.
• Wheatley A, Brunskill G, Bamford C, Robinson AL. Post diagnostic support in the UK: fragmentation and fragility. In: Alzheimer Europe. 2019, The Hague.
• Wheatley A, Bamford C, Shaw C, Boyles M, Fox C, Allan L. Service organisation for people with dementia after an injurious fall: challenges and opportunities. Age and Ageing 2019, 48(3), 454–458.
• Wheatley A. 'We're not related in any way, only by blood': Danish sperm donors and (imagined) relationships. Families, Relationships and Societies 2019, 8(1), 137-152.
• Wheatley A. Danish sperm donors and the ethics of donation and selection. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 2018, 21(2), 227-238.
• Wheatley A. Danish sperm invasions. 2018. Newcastle upon Tyne: The Stand, 10:04.
• Brunskill G, Bamford C, Adamson J, Corner L, Wheatley A, Robinson L. Engaging innovative and inclusive partnerships to inform dementia research: the Dementia Care Community. In: 13th UK Dementia Congress. 2018, Brighton.
• Allan L, Bamford C, Wheatley A. Improving Care for Falls in Dementia: Development of the Difrid Intervention. In: Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). 2018, Chicago, US: Alzheimer's Association.
• Allan LM, Wheatley A, Flynn E, Smith A, Fox GC, Howel D, Barber R, Homer TM, Robinson AL, Parry SW, Corner L, Connolly J, Rochester L, Bamford C. Is it feasible to deliver a complex intervention to improve the outcome of falls in people with dementia? A protocol for the DIFRID feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 2018, 4, 170.
• Wheatley A. Thicker than water? Sperm donors and the question of relatedness. 2018. Available at: https://discoversociety.org/2018/03/06/thicker-than-water-sperm-donors-and-the-question-of-relatedness/.
• Wheatley A, Bamford C, Boyles M, Shaw C, Allan LM. Mapping existing care pathways for people with dementia with fall-related injuries. In: Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). 2017, London: Elsevier.