Jenny Kartupelis
About
I graduated from the University of Kent with a BA (Hons) in English and American Literature in 1975 and following two years in management roles, returned to studies graduating with an MA and an MPhil from the University of Sussex in 1979 and a PGCE from the University of Cambridge in 1980. After establishing two public relations consultancies based in Cambridge, which operated over 20 years, I helped to set up a regional faiths body, The East of England Faiths Council and became its Director, for which I was made an MBE.
Commissioned to undertake a study into the wellbeing of older people in its care homes by provider charity The Abbeyfield Society, my work developed into a theory of ‘relational care’ – a natural progression from person-centred care – on which I have written extensively, including two books published in 2018 and 2021. Currently I am working with the Open University; in 2023 we published empirical research findings concerning the nature and practice of relational care and we are now extending our work with Open Society Challenge funding.
PhD Research
I am working towards a PhD by Published Work, drawing on my published books and articles to explore the position of relational care with respect to the theories, frameworks and overall body of knowledge within which it sits, and its potential impact on policy and practice.
Research interests
- Care ethics
- Care provision
- Care workers
- Older people
- Relational care