Get to know Elaine, whose experience as a musueum curator has driven her to research the transformative impact of the arts, hertage and cultural activity. Name: Elaine AddingtonProject title: A Bridge to Connection? Exploring the Role of Community Arts Participation in Later-Life Care RelationshipsSupervisors: Dr Tom Russ (Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre), Dr Katey Warren (School of Health in Social Science)Background: I worked for many years as a museum curator, with a focus on community-based, co-produced practice. Elaine Addington What drew me to the academy:The scaffolded first year of the programme offered an ideal reintroduction to university study after time away. Being part of the fourth cohort provided the opportunity to engage with students from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds.In my museum practice, I often collaborated beyond traditional boundaries — co-producing with partners in social work, addiction services and mental health. Pursuing an interdisciplinary PhD felt like a natural next step and a way to formalise an approach I had already seen the value of.How was the taught year?The taught year proved to be both rewarding and invaluable for my research going forward.It offered a strong grounding in issues around the aging population through excellent lectures and workshops led by experts working in the field. Project work helped me get to know my cohort better, and gain insight into their backgrounds and motivations. Through my electives, I challenged myself to explore subjects that were completely new to me. What is my PhD about and why does it matter to me?My PhD explores how participation in community-based arts shapes unpaid caring relationships in later life. This matters deeply to me because, from my museum background, I’ve seen the transformative impact of arts, heritage, and cultural activity — yet the evidence often remains incomplete. By contributing robust, practice-based insights, I hope to strengthen the case for sustained funding and recognition of this vital work.What has surprised me so far?I’ve been surprised by how significant my existing skills, experience and contacts have become within my research, and by their wider relevance beyond the arts and heritage field — something I hadn’t previously anticipated.Any tips for those considering a PhD?As a mature student returning to academia after decades in the workplace, I would say: go for it. Changing direction and challenging yourself can be transformative — especially when you’re fortunate enough to focus on a subject you feel passionately about. This article was published on 2026-04-06
