Chris Knifton

Dr Chris Knifton is an Associate Professor at De Montfort University, affiliated with the School of Nursing and Midwifery within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. His research is supported by the Social Sciences Research Institute (SSRI), and he plays a key role in advancing dementia education, neurodiversity awareness, and inclusive teaching practices across health and social care disciplines.

His academic background is highly interdisciplinary, including qualifications in:

• Doctorate in Health Science (DHSci)
• MSc in Dementia Care
• MSc in International Relations
• MA in Social Work
• PGC(H)E in Higher Education Teaching
• LLB (Hons) in Law
• BSc (Hons) in Sociology
• Diploma in Social Work (Dip SW)
• Advanced Dementia Care Mapper
• Diploma in Counselling Psychology

Chris’s research centers on dementia, childhood dementia, neurodiversity, autism, and inclusive pedagogy. He explores the sociological and historical framing of dementia, equity in healthcare education, and the experiences of neurodivergent individuals and carers in higher education. His teaching spans paramedic science, nursing (all fields), social work, and postgraduate education, with a strong emphasis on law, ethics, and advanced communication.

His recent publications and conference presentations reflect a strong trend toward critical, sociological, and inclusive approaches to dementia and neurodiversity. Topics include the role of Admiral Nurses, continuity of care, suicide risk in carers, and the integration of EDI principles into course design and fellowship recognition. His work bridges academic scholarship with practical healthcare and educational reform.

Scientific awards and honors include:

• SBStJ (Service to the British Empire), awarded on behalf of HM Queen Elizabeth II
• Attendance at the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
• Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA)
• Institutional Teaching Fellow

Chris actively supervises student projects and contributes to externally funded research, including the NIHR DECODE project. He mentors students and colleagues in inclusive practice, neurodiversity, and dementia care. His outreach includes speaking at national and international conferences and advising on equity impact assessments. He is a member of the Higher Education Dementia Network (HEDN) and the In It Together Group (NTF), and serves on advisory panels for dementia communities.

He leads or contributes to several research projects focused on:

• Neurodiversity and Block Teaching
• Paramedic students’ experience of Block Teaching
• Increasing Childhood Dementia awareness
• Neurodivergence in carers of people with dementia
• Experiences of HEI students who are carers