Profile
Debbie Kinsey
PhD researcher and university teacher
My CV
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Education:
I moved around a lot when I was little so I went to 3 different primary schools! (Bradley Barton in Newton Abbot, a school in Barbados, back to Bradley Barton, then Winkleigh Primary).
I got a scholarship to a private school so I just went to one secondary school (Shebbear College).
Then York University, Hull University, and now Exeter University. -
Qualifications:
GCSEs: English Literature, English Language, Maths, Science double-award, History, Geography, French, Drama, Information Technology.
A-Levels: English Literature, History, Maths, Biology. BSc degree in Psychology. PGCert in Mental Health Care. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (basically training to be a clinical psychologist). Currently doing a PhD! -
Work History:
My very first job was as a babysitter (I wasn’t very good – I always let them stay up too late!). I then worked as waitress in a couple of different restaurants from when I was 14/15 until I left home to go to university at 18.
When I was at university I worked as a support worker for adults with severe learning disabilities. They couldn’t talk and some of them also had physical disabilties so I helped them to wash, dress, and eat, and also to go out to places. I used to go the cinema a lot with one lady who really liked horror movies!
After university I worked as an assistant psychologist in mental health services for child and families, and then trained as a clinical psychologist. The training involved working in different kinds of places with different kinds of people to help them with mental health problems, and took about 3 years.
Not very long after I finished my training I got an illness and couldn’t work for a few years. It was pretty tough, but after a while I got better and could work again. I started working as a researcher at a university a few hours a week, and gradually built up to working more hours. -
Current Job:
I’m now doing a PhD, which is basically working on my own research project for 3 years. I also do some teaching of university students.
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About Me:
Hi! I’m Debbie & I study how museums can help people with dementia to live a good life. I like Dungeons & Dragons, thunderstorms, & eating lots of cake. I have a disability that makes me very tired, but you can be a scientist & have an illness or disability too!
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I live in Exeter and mostly grew up in Devon, but also lived in Barbados for a few years when I was little. I moved here two years ago, and before that I lived in York & Hull as an adult – Hull is actually the place I’ve lived the longest and I miss it sometimes, especially as it’s Hull Fair as I’m writing this! My boyfriend lives in London, so I visit there quite a lot too.
I love playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends (and I’m going to run a Stranger Things D&D game for friends soon which I’m very excited about! I’ve also run a Harry Potter D&D game before too!). I really enjoy being all cosy inside when it’s thundering outside.
I have a disability that means I get tired very easily and it’s easy for me to get ill, so I spend a lot of time resting and watching Netflix. I also need to make sure I have a good balance between doing things & resting to make sure I stay well. If you have similar problems, it’s definitely possible to work as a scientist, you just need to find the right balance for you!
Quick favourites – Chocolate bar: Twirl; pizza topping: mushrooms (I’m vegetarian); cake: cheesecake.
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I’m looking at how museums help people with dementia and their carers. Carers are sometimes people who are paid (like in care homes), but are sometimes people’s husbands, wives, siblings, children (who are adults), or friends.
I’m investigating a special kind of museum programme where people don’t need to use their memories (which is something people with dementia struggle with). Sometimes they have a tour of artwork or an exhibition, sometimes they handle museum objects, and sometimes they make art related to things in the museum.
The sessions are designed to work for people with dementia but they’re not about talking about dementia – they’re just about enjoying the artwork or museum objects, meeting new people, having fun, and learning new interesting things.
My research is looking at how the sessions work and how they help people, and who they might help the most. I’m also looking at how carers being in the session as well might make a difference. At the moment that involves going to lots of sessions at different museums and joining in, which is great fun! I also interview people who come to the sessions and the people who run the sessions to find out about their experiences.
There are lots of different kinds of activities outside of museums for people with dementia and their carers, like singing groups, therapy, and cafe groups. There are parts of my research which will be useful for thinking about how we can help people with dementia and carers in these other kinds of sessions, so I’m also thinking about how to apply what I’m finding to other places and types of activities.
I also teach undergraduates and postgraduates at university in things like how to do research and psychology.
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My Typical Day:
A museum day means travelling to the museum, taking part in the session and helping people during the activity. Afterwards I usually chat to someone who came or the person running it.
An office day means walking to the office, switching on my laptop, and writing, emailing, and figuring things out! And sometimes a bit of teaching. -
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Every day is different, which is what I really love about this job!
On a museum day, I travel to the museum, which can sometimes mean getting the train for a few hours to another city. I always intend to work on the train but usually end up gazing out the window the entire time! At the museum I act as a researcher and as an extra volunteer in the session, so when I get there I help set up for the session. When people arrive for the session I talk to them about my research while they have a cup of tea to check if they want to take part (no one ever has to take part if they don’t want to). During the session I get to join in and help people if they need it. Joining in and just generally chatting to people is my favourite part and doesn’t feel like work at all! After the session I make notes on what happened (if people agreed to take part) and I usually book in an interview with someone who comes to the session or someone who works on it to save travelling again.
On an office day, it only takes me 10-15 minutes to walk into work. I’m usually at my desk trying to figure things out about my research by writing up data, analysing interviews, or planning for future bits of the research. I also teach at the university, so sometimes I’m preparing my next teaching, teaching, or marking work. Teaching can be a bit nerve-wracking but I really enjoy helping people to think through their work. Sometimes I’m also in meetings about events I’m helping to organise or looking at people’s research applications (as I also work on the research ethics committee which means looking at what people plan to do for their research and making sure it’s safe for everyone involved). So even “boring office days” are always different with lots of things to do!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I want to work with an illustrator to make interesting & colourful drawings of my research work to help people find out about it. I want to make those drawings into postcards & a zine you can download.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Creative, friendly, organised
What did you want to be after you left school?
When I was 5 - president of the world by day, ballerina by night. When I was 18 - I had no idea!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not much, sometimes for being disorganised & handing in work late
Who is your favourite singer or band?
It changes every day! When I'm working I listen to Chillhop playlists. Outside of work at the mo I'm listening to Elbow, Beastie Boys, & Regina Spektor
What's your favourite food?
Very cheesy pizza
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Good health, teleportation, and spend a night in one of the see-through igloos under the Northern Lights in Denmark
Tell us a joke.
What do you call a cheese that isn't yours? Nacho cheese! (works better if you say it out loud haha)
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