Dr Gary Hodge

I was born, have grown up, and have always lived in Plymouth. In fact I went to school on the same site as the University of Plymouth. I have had an eclectic working career, which includes 5 years in the Royal Navy. I found nursing later in life, after working as a support worker for young adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues, and other identified areas of need. Between 2002-2005 I completed a Diploma (He) in Nursing (Mental Health) at the University of Plymouth. This sparked an interest in learning and self-development which led to a BSc (Hons) in Health Studies, an MSc in Ageing, Mental Health, and Dementia, and most recently (2020) a PhD in Mental Health, which I completed at Lancaster University as a blended learning student. This was all whilst working full time in the NHS. I have been an associate, honorary and full time nursing lecturer (MH) in 2018 within the School of Nursing & Midwifery. However, in 2022 I moved into research and I am currently Research Fellow for the Enhanced Health in Care Homes & Developing Research in Care Homes projects. 

Teaching interests

I am a PhD student supervisor (inc reflexive supervision)

Research interests

Research Interests:

·    Enhancing independence & supporting people to live well with ageing & dementia.

.     Personalised care provision in ageing and dementia.

·    Supporting care providers to understand and support people experiencing behaviours that challenge (aka BPSD).

·    Older Adult Mental Health, including therapeutic intervention.

·    Understanding suicide and self-harm ideation in older adults and dementia.

·    Autoethnography & Narrative forms of research (inc storytelling/art)

Research Roles

     I am a Research Fellow for the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH study) & Developing Research in Care Homes projects

     I am a member of the Researchers in Palliative and End-of-Life Support (RIPELS) group. Our group share an interest in the range of questions related to this area (including advance care planning). We sit within the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR).