York researcher awarded NIHR20 Leadership Prize

News

Posted on Thursday 20 August 2026

We are delighted to announce that Kate Gridley, a PhD student in the School for Social Care Research at the University of York, has been named one of 20 NIHR20 Rising Research Leaders, making an outstanding contribution to health and care research.

Research Leaders Prizes

The prizes, which mark the 20th anniversary of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), celebrate talented leaders who are making exceptional contributions to health and care research across the UK, improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and driving economic growth across the country.

Kate Gridley first joined the NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR) in 2019, when she received an NIHR SSCR career development award sponsoring her to develop work into dementia research methods. Now she leads dementia research for the Older Adults’ Social Care Research (OSCAR) group at the University of York, working on topics such as care confidence, the Good Life with Dementia course, and DETERMIND and supporting a team of early-career researchers, trainees and dementia researchers.

Dementia research

Kate's work places a strong emphasis on co-production with people living with dementia and improving how research methods affect participant experience and inclusion, as well as research outcomes. Her work has influenced national research practice by shaping tools and approaches used in dementia studies and contributing to large-scale ongoing research.

As a prize winner, Kate will receive a £10,000 professional development award, alongside tailored leadership and development opportunities. A formal prize-giving ceremony will take place at the 2026 NIHR Academy Conference in October.

Kate shared, "As someone who began my research career with lived experience of a long-term condition and practice experience in the voluntary sector and community involvement, but no Masters or PhD, I found the NIHR SSCR career development award provided an invaluable opportunity to study and reflect upon research practice. In particular, it enabled me to undertake a PhD (alongside my full-time research job) about data collection processes in quantitative dementia research, which are an under-explored aspect of dementia research but important to get right if we are to produce the high quality evidence necessary to improve dementia services and care.

Improving practice

I continued to specialise in dementia care research and methods, developing my team and wider partnerships (including with people living with dementia) to collaboratively improve practice. Receiving the NIHR Rising Leaders Award means that I can further enhance the reach and impact of this work through joint-working with trialists, people with lived experience and wider NIHR infrastructure (Academy, RSS), ensuring that much needed social care interventional research is informed by the latest evidence and good practice.”

Professor Yvonne Birks, Director for SSCR and OSCAR, said, "I was delighted to hear of Kate's success in these awards. Having worked closely with Kate, I know her unwavering commitment to improving the everyday lives of people living with dementia is both exceptional and authentic. The NIHR SSCR community and her colleagues at York will undoubtedly join me in celebrating the success of one of our core members.

She is a true testament to the capacity-building processes inherent in our work. While Kate is characteristically generous in recognising her funders and colleagues, I have always been deeply impressed by her ability to maximise her time and focus, as well as her genuine commitment to her team and public contributors. Kate is truly a rising star in dementia research."

Find out more about the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizes.