Diane Seddon

Diane Seddon is a Reader in Social Care at the School of Health Sciences, Prifysgol Bangor University, where she also serves as Director of Research and Chair of the Academic Research Ethics Committee. She is actively involved in leading impactful social care research with policy applications, particularly in Wales, and contributes to international research networks.

Her research focuses on social care for older people, especially those living with dementia, unpaid carers, and the social care workforce. Key interests include:

• Assessment and support planning for complex care needs
• Meaningful short breaks (respite care)
• Support needs of carers in employment or education
• Personal well-being outcomes such as voice, control, prevention, co-production, and integrated working
• Nursing and residential care home provision

The recent body of her work, including publications from 2024, demonstrates a strong emphasis on qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, with recurring themes in caregiving, public involvement, multi-agency collaboration, and policy impact. Her research often involves co-production and participatory methods, particularly with vulnerable populations such as older adults, care leavers, and caregivers of those with brain injuries.

Her scientific contributions and leadership are recognized through:

• Appointment as ESRC Wales Graduate School Pathway Lead
• Chairing key ethics committees
• Securing over £12.5 million in research funding
• Influencing national policy with Welsh Government investment
• Active participation in COST Action PAAR-Net

Diane is deeply committed to mentoring doctoral students and early career researchers. She supervises PhD projects and has secured postgraduate scholarship funding. Her current research projects include the Centre for Vision Services Research and evaluation of the national Short Breaks Scheme in Wales, reflecting her responsiveness to emerging health and social care challenges.

She is also engaged in research infrastructure development and leads initiatives that bridge research, policy, and practice, particularly through co-creation and integrated working models.