Professor Chris Fox, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Exeter and DiSCOVERY co-lead
Chris is an expert in mental health and dementia research. In 2010 he was appointed as the first clinical academic psychiatrist at Norwich Medical School and Eastern region dementia research (DeNDRoN) lead, and he ended up as head of department of clinical academic medicine at the University of East Anglia until 2021. He has undertaken 4 highly cited Cochrane reviews in dementia, and set up and developed clinical trials in dementia as a chief investigator and regional lead. He is leading 3 national programmes of dementia research and has been professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Exeter since 2021.
“I like what we are exploring in DiSCOVERY because of the potential for post diagnostic support and learning about recovery.” You can link to Chris’s other programmes of research exploring support for family carers of people with dementia (CareCoach study) and sleep in dementia (Times study) here: https://carecoachtimes.org
Juniper West, Research Development Lead, Older People's Services at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and DiSCOVERY co-lead
Juni's background is in mental health, and particularly, dementia care nursing.
“I’ve always been interested in what helps staff and services be person-centred, and when I found out that people were applying ‘recovery’ principles (connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment) to learning about living positively with dementia, I was immediately intrigued."
Juni is co-leading the project together with Professor Chris Fox, and conducting qualitative fieldwork at the case study sites alongside Dr Linda Birt.
Dr Linda Birt, Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia 
I carry out research about the social impact of living with dementia, or being their supporter. I am excited to have the chance to understand if Recovery Colleges can help people as they adapt to their diagnosis.
Professor Fiona Poland, Professor of Social Research Methodology, University of East Anglia 
I am a sociologist, Professor of Social Research Methodology and community researcher, with many years' experience in evidencing inclusion of people living with dementia, and seeking to understand formal and informal care work through participation and collaboration. I edit the journal Quality in Ageing and Older Adults.
Dr Melanie Handley Senior Research Fellow, Health and Care for Older People, University of Hertfordshire 
I have expertise in realist methodology and I have worked on a number of studies researching the delivery of health and care services for people living with dementia.
Professor Geoffrey Wong, Associate Professor in Primary Care, University of Oxford 
I bring realist review and realist evaluation methodological expertise to the DISCOVERY project. I am a Clinically Active NHS GP.
Claire Duddy Expert librarian, realist methods, University of Oxford 
I'm an experienced information specialist and realist reviewer, conducting searches and supporting the rapid realist review.
Dr Emma Wolverson, Senior Lecturer Ageing and Dementia, University of Hull and Research Lead Dementia UK 
I am a clinical psychologist working in dementia care and a senior lecturer in ageing and dementia. I bring a passion for hearing about people's experiences in stakeholder collaboration and qualitative methods.
Professor Esme Moniz-Cook, Professor of Psychology Ageing & Dementia Care Research, University of Hull 
I trained as a clinical psychologist. I'm actively working to translate novel psychosocial approaches to dementia care. I bring methodological and dementia -related psychosocial expertise to this project.
Dr Bonnie Teague Head of Research, Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust 
I have a particular interest in equality and representation of under-represented groups in research and would help with considerations relating to access and recruitment in the UK.
Dr Corinna Hackmann, Research Development Lead, Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust 
I am a Research Clinical Psychologist and have a particular interest in research into personal recovery. I helped to establish the Recovery College at NSFT and have conducted research into recovery colleges and peer support.
Ruth Mills, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust 
I am a later life Consultant Clinical Psychologist with a passion for co-production. I have co-developed and co-run Recovery College courses aimed at helping older adults, including people with dementia.
I am interested in how we can overcome barriers to enable accessibility to recovery based courses for all, especially older people and people with living with dementia.
Dr Kathryn Sams, Specialised Clinical Psychologist, Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
I have been working for the trust in older peoples and dementia services for the past 20 years, with a specific interest in supporting carers and those living with a diagnosis of dementia.
Tom Rhodes, DiSCOVERY Study Manager 
My role is to coordinate the day-to-day management of the study.
Robert Kelly, Library Manager
“I manage the library services at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust; I train our researchers in literature searching skills and techniques, I also facilitate access to research papers through our document supply service.”
Leanne Hague, DiSCOVERY Research Assistant Psychologist
“My role is to support across all areas of the study. I am passionate about helping people to live well with chronic conditions.”
Maria Sanchez, DiSCOVERY Research Assistant Psychologist
“I am passionate about understanding how to best approach and embrace individual differences. I am a research assistant and I do research focused on the experiences of post-diagnostic support in underserved and/or ethnic, cultural minority individuals.”
Mental health trusts have adopted Recovery Colleges as a way of supporting adults with a range of difficulties. These offer educational courses and peer support for people who use mental health services, their families and staff. People living with mental health difficulties work together with staff members with designing and running courses. They are called peer tutors.