About PD-Life
'PD-Life' is an all-island programme of research, funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), to improve wellbeing and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s on the island of Ireland. This €4 million initiative brings together people with Parkinson’s, family carers, researchers, academics, healthcare professionals and advocacy organisations. By learning about the everyday experiences of living with Parkinson’s, we hope to identify practical ways to support wellbeing, meaningful participation and independence.
PD-Life is led by co-PIs Professor Suzanne Timmons (UCC) and Dr Mihalis Doumas (QUB). The all-island research hub will connect partners across:
- University College Cork (Co-Lead Institution)
- Queen’s University Belfast (Co-Lead Institution)
- Tyndall National Institute
- Ulster University
- University of Limerick
- Trinity College Dublin
PD-Life will also work closely with Parkinson’s support and advocacy organisations, including Parkinson’s Ireland and Parkinson’s UK Northern Ireland. The programme will build on research knowledge and expertise across four connected areas which were identified as priority topics by people with Parkinson’s in Ireland and internationally:
- Stigma
- Mental Health
- Exercise & Dance
- Technology & AI
Culture, gender and age will be considered across all four areas, helping us understand how people’s backgrounds and experiences may influence life with Parkinson’s.
Why PD-Life was created
The all-Ireland PD-Life Research Hub has been established to create a more connected interdisciplinary, collaborative and sustainable approach to Parkinson’s research across the island of Ireland.
Bringing together researchers from different disciplines and institutions, the Hub will reduce fragmentation, unnecessary duplication and resource waste, while supporting the translation of robust research evidence into coordinated public-health policy and service development.
The figure below illustrates the range of disciplines currently working together as part of PD-Life.
A key function of the PD-Life Hub is to support the next generation of Parkinson’s researchers and research leaders. It will bring together nine PhD students, one master’s student and seven early-career researchers in a supportive learning network.
These Early Career Researchers will develop their understanding of Parkinson’s, strengthen their research skills and learn from colleagues working across different disciplines and institutions.
By working together across the island of Ireland and connecting with developments internationally, the Hub will prepare our future researchers to respond to the needs of a growing number of people living with Parkinson’s, and those that support them.
How PD-Life works
Get Involved in PD-Life
Collaboration is at the heart of PD-Life. People with Parkinson’s, family carers, health and social care professionals, and community and advocacy organisations work alongside academics and researchers throughout the research process.
If you are a person living with, or affected by Parkinson's, there are two different ways that you can become involved in our research.
People with Parkinson’s and their families can contribute to PD-Life research in two ways: as co-researchers or as research participants. Both roles make an important contribution to PD-Life research.
Co-researchers
Co-researchers are involved in the research process on an ongoing basis, over a longer period of time. They help shape and guide research by:
- Choosing research priorities.
- Shaping research questions and study materials.
- Helping to interpret research findings.
- Helping to share what we learn.
Research participants
Research participants take part in a particular research study. Activities may include:
- Completing a survey.
- Taking part in an interview, focus group or other discussion-based activity.
- Trying an activity, service or technology.
- Sharing experiences or information.
Both co-researchers and research participants play an important role in contributing to PD-Life research.
To learn more about PD-Life and how you can get involved, reach out to us using this form.