Developing and sustaining a doctoral study in design research involving participants living with dementia during COVID-19

Abstract This article reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on my doctoral research that commenced five months prior to lockdown in England. I reflect on challenges faced in maintaining motivation and resilience when opportunities for informal learning, peer support and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange were removed. The various restrictions to social contact implemented by the UK Government during the pandemic meant I was unable to spend a period of immersion in the context in dementia care settings. As the involvement of people living with dementia was central to my study, I had to develop alternative methods to overcome social distancing restrictions. I used interviews with specialist practitioners to familiarize myself with current practice online. The impact of being unable to engage face-to-face with participants is considered. The design considerations in development of interactive tools to support expression of everyday aesthetic preferences without access to conventional workshop facilities are described. I reflect on how my experience as an interdisciplinary practitioner in design and healthcare helped me to overcome ethical issues in recruitment of participants defined not only as vulnerable, but shielding under UK COVID-19 regulations. The challenges and benefits involved in engaging participants living with dementia using remote sensory ethnography are considered.