معرفی
Professor Yvonne Birks is a leading academic at the University of York's School for Business and Society, holding the title of Professor of Applied Social Care Research. Her work focuses on social care systems, particularly for older adults and those with dementia, emphasizing self-funded care and policy analysis. She leads the NIHR School for Social Care Research as its National Director, collaborating with six institutions across England. Her research has attracted over £25 million in funding, including initiatives like the Curiosity Partnership and PREPARE. Key roles include membership on NIHR prioritization panels and leadership in projects such as the EQUATED study on dementia diagnosis equity. Awards include NIHR Senior Investigator status (2023) and recognition for NHS LGBT+ network research (2016).
Her research explores service delivery challenges, digital technology use in caregiving, and the impact of pandemics on vulnerable populations. She co-leads the NIHR Health and Care Services Delivery Research award focused on building research capacity in local authorities. Notable contributions include systematic reviews on dementia education and co-design approaches for social care improvements. Grants include the NIHR Policy Research Unit for Dementia and Neurodegeneration, reflecting her interdisciplinary impact across healthcare, policy, and social sciences.
- NIHR Academy Advanced Local Authority Fellowship panel member
- NIHR Health Technology Assessment social care prioritisation panel member
- Co-developer of the Curiosity Partnership research initiative
Her work integrates academic rigor with practical solutions, addressing systemic gaps in social care through collaborative, policy-informed research. Current projects include analyzing early dementia presentations in diverse populations and evaluating decision-support tools for self-funders.
