Karen is a nurse by background with three nursing registrations (RMN, RNMH & RN) and has over 45 years nursing experience, most spent in dementia care in a various settings.

She undertook a PhD at University College London focusing on advance care planning in the context of palliative and end-of-life care in dementia. Upon successful completion became Head of Research and Publications at Dementia UK. She has several honorary academic positions at UK universities, including Nottingham University and De Montfort University, Leicester. Her research interests and connections with Dementia UK have enabled her to be involved on some large research studies, both nationally and internationally.

Her research interests include; dementia care, case management, care coordination, palliative and end-of-life care and advance care planning.