Dr Jolie Keemink (she/her)
Jolie Keemink is the Principal Investigator for the LEAP study, based at the Centre for Health Services Studies at Kent. She is a mixed-methods researcher and has worked on a wide range of social care studies, but her main focus has been supporting the workforce with inclusive practice. Prior to this study, she led the CIRCLE study, supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion in residential care for older people.
Prof. Paul Willis (he/him)
Paul Willis, Professor of Social Care, Cardiff University, is the co-Principal Investigator for the LEAP study. He is a registered social worker and the inaugural Director of CARE – the Centre for Adult Social Care Research, based in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University. His research background is in social gerontology and social work, and his research focuses on issues of social inclusion and care in later life, particularly for older people belonging to minoritised groups. Areas of expertise include: housing, ageing and social inclusion; unpaid carers and social isolation; loneliness, ageing and later life; older men’s social connections; sexuality, gender identity and ageing; LGBTQ+ ageing; social work with older people. Profile here. He lives in Cardiff and is originally from Australia.
Dr Shannon O'Rourke (she/her)
Shannon O’Rourke recently earned her PhD in Social Psychology and is now working as the Postdoctoral Research Associate on the LEAP study. Her previous research experiences include diversity in leadership, LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, sexual/reproductive health, and maternal/child health. She’s lived in the USA, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Germany, and is now based in London.
Prof. Ben Thomas (he/him)
Ben is a Professor of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at London South Bank University, and Mental Health and Learning Disability Adviser for RCN Wales. He is a co-investigator for the LEAP study. His research interests include addressing health inequalities and improving the mental health of minority and disadvantaged groups. He has recently completed two NIHR funded studies on health and social care inequalities. He is currently co-investigator for an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project examining the intersectional perspectives for community inclusion of older marginalised people with learning disabilities and ageing LGBTQ+ people.
Dr Willem Stander (he/him)
Willem Stander, co-Investigator on the LEAP project, is a Research Fellow working to improve mental health and social care for LGBTQ+ people and care-experienced young people. With a background in LGBTQ+ activism, he collaborates closely with communities to ensure their experiences shape more inclusive support. He lives in Brighton, where he’s frequently terrorised by seagulls.
Helen (she/her) (co-researcher)
Helen has a background in Careers Counselling and Public Health. She currently works with several organisations to support older LGBTQ+ people and her work is centred around promoting positive health and well-being, reducing loneliness and bringing community together regularly. Helen has always been an activist pursuing and advocating for equal rights, especially for those who do not fit into or are excluded from mainstream society.
Sue (she/her) (co-researcher)
Sue spent her career working as an occupational therapy clinician, manager and educator in the UK and Canada. She’s interested in improving the quality of home care for older LGBTQ+ people because, not only is everyone entitled to high quality care, but one of these days she or her wife may just need it.
Cecilia (she/her) (co-researcher)
Cecilia worked many years as a nurse and educator in community mental health. She was involved in research during that time and has since worked as a member of research teams investigating aspects of gender identity and sexuality. She’s active as a volunteer for various charities.
Sallie (she/her) (co-researcher)
Sallie is a Registered Social Worker and has worked within social care for 38 years, in long term posts within statutory, private and voluntary sectors and within a number of academic research projects. She delivers lectures, workshops, advice and support regarding the LGBTQ+ community (specifically older people). Sallie lives with her partner of 33 years.
Simon (he/him) (co-researcher)
Simon is an Associate Professor and his research interests are in social communication. He has led healthy ageing projects on in-the-moment talk funded by UKRI, intergenerational exchange funded by ESRC, and a two-year study of speech disfluencies funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK. Simon lives in Shoreham-by-Sea, enjoys walking with BLAGSS, and is training for the Brighton 10K.