Caroline Bartle

I’ve worked in dementia care for over 33 years. Much of that time has been in workforce development so I’ve followed the evolution of dementia literature closely. I always hoped to study at the University of Stirling as it has been a leader in this space for many years. 

I began my academic journey at Bradford University. After completing a Master’s in Business, I went on to study dementia design. That ultimately led me to undertake a doctorate at Stirling seven years ago. 

Being part of this University has meant so much to me. The work produced at Stirling is deeply aligned with my interests and values. I’ve had the privilege of working with two outstanding supervisors  Dr Terry Lynn Thompson and Dr Grant Gibson whose expertise and encouragement have brought out the best in me. 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I travelled from Oxford to Scotland to attend classes. Since the pandemic, I’ve been able to continue my studies entirely online. This became even more important after relocating to New Zealand. While time zones still pose the occasional challenge, the University’s support has remained consistently strong. 

I’ve found the support services at Stirling to be excellent  responsive, helpful, and really tuned in to the needs of students studying remotely. IT support, academic services, and general responsiveness have made a huge difference to my experience. 

Studying in your 50s, while juggling a full-time job and family life, hasn’t been easy but it has been incredibly rewarding. As I approach the end of my doctorate, I know I’ll miss being part of this community. Seven years is a long time and I may just have to find another course to keep the connection going!