From: Ulster University Open Research Conference 2026
Simms, V., Jacobs, N., Magee, J., De Ornellas, K., Mollik, E., Kernohan, W. G., Leacock, J., Akter, J., Sempey,
C., Beech, S. E., Naz Asif, R., Yap, L. K., & Miller, K. (2026, Jan 16). Ulster University Open Research
Conference 2026: Conference Speaker Abstracts. Ulster University. Advance online publication.
https://doi.org/10.21251/0d7780ce-ce97-468f-b5d5-69201ca90b20
Speaker: Professor George Kernohan
School or Department:
School of Nursing and Paramedic Science
Ulster University
Email: wg.kernohan AT ulster.ac.uk
The area(s) of open research talk relates to:
Practice as research; Open data/ Open code
Talk Title:
An example of open research sharing Hodges’ Health Career Model
Abstract:
This paper examines a blog post [see below, pj], “Thinking about a comprehensive framework for
dementia,” as a case study illustrating the integration of open research practices within
dementia palliative care research. The post introduces the Hodges’ Health Career
Model— a four-domain conceptual framework encompassing biomedical, psychological,
social, and policy perspectives— to articulate the multidimensional nature of dementia
and inform care planning. As an openly accessible research communication, the blog
contributes to transparent and inclusive knowledge exchange beyond traditional
academic channels.
The blog exemplifies practice-as-research, translating conceptual development from
theory into a form of scholarly exposition that invites engagement from practitioners,
policymakers, carers, and people living with dementia. It forms part of a wider programme
of work in which the research team openly documents methods, emerging findings, and
reflections across scoping reviews, surveys, and service case studies hosted on the
same platform. These materials complement peer-reviewed open access outputs,
including open publications.
The project demonstrates alignment with open research principles through prospective
protocol registration: the scoping review protocol is publicly available on PROSPERO.
The team’s prior work on blogging as a mechanism for knowledge mobilisation
strengthens the methodological coherence of using this medium to disseminate
conceptual frameworks and preliminary insights.
Although the blog does not itself provide underlying datasets or analytic code, it outlines
methodological approaches that could facilitate future open data practices, particularly in
qualitative and mixed-methods research. Overall, the case illustrates a pragmatic and
pluralistic adoption of open research methods across dissemination, protocol
transparency, and public engagement, offering a model for enhancing accessibility and
reproducibility in dementia palliative care research.
.
Title: “Thinking about a comprehensive framework for dementia”
Author: Professor George Kernohan
Date: 7 November 2019
Link: https://pallcare4dementia.com/thinking-about-a-comprehensive-framework-for-dementia/
orcid.org/0000-0002-0192-8965
