Research visit to the University of Exeter

2025-03-07

Professor Paul Farrand, proffessor Georgina Charlesworth och doktorand Oscar Blomberg.

U-CARE’s PhD student Oscar Blomberg (to the right) at the SPIN-D Network Plus research event, together with Professor Paul Farrand and Professor Georgina Charlesworth.

For two weeks, U-CARE’s PhD student Oscar Blomberg is on a research visit at the University of Exeter in England.

During his stay, Oscar Blomberg will present parts of his PhD work within the INVOLVERA research project, which focuses on developing a psychological support programme for people with dementia and depression. The support programme is based on previous research at the University of Exeter, conducted by Oscar’s supervisors, Dr. Joanne Woodford and Professor Paul Farrand.
During his visit, Oscar is particularly interested in learning more about low-intensity behavioural activation, the psychological method used in INVOLVERA. In addition to presenting his own research, he will also meet with researchers and experts in low-intensity CBT and behavioural activation to discuss and gain deeper insights into the method.

It has been an intense few days so far. On my very first day here, I was invited to join a networking event for dementia researchers as part of the SPIN-Dementia Network Plus. The event, held in Exeter, was a ‘Sandpit event’ featuring presentations and discussions aimed at developing innovations for supporting and caring for individuals with dementia and their loved ones. I have also had meetings and given a presentation on low-intensity CBT research in Sweden, using INVOLVERA as an example, says Oscar.

En sten med en skylt: "University of Exeter". En universitetsbyggnad syns i bakgrunden.

Oscar also shares that this research visit is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in an international research environment and to learn from experts in his field. He is now preparing for his next presentation, where he will delve deeper into the INVOLVERA project, specifically focusing on the development and adaptation of the support programme to the Swedish cultural and healthcare context.

– The best part so far has been networking and meeting researchers, but also the fact that it’s spring here and sunny! We’ll see when the first rain arrives, Oscar says with a laugh.