Dr Cara Sass
- Position: Research Fellow
- Areas of expertise: Self-harm; qualitative methodologies; ethnography; reminiscence therapy for people with dementia; use of Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) tool; evaluating staff training in healthcare
- Email: C.Sass@leeds.ac.uk
- Location: 10.90 Worsley
- Website: FReSH START programme website | Twitter | Researchgate | ORCID
Profile
I currently work as a research Fellow for the Function REplacement in repeated Self-Harm: Standardising Therapeutic Assessment and the Related Therapy (FReSH START) programme. I have several years’ research experience from numerous projects and clinical trials, having worked with young people, adults and older populations living with a range of mental health conditions.
In May 2020 I completed my PhD with the Centre for Dementia Research at Leeds Beckett University. This was an ethnographic study entitled, “Understanding the impact of sporting reminiscence on men living with dementia in the community”. My research involved participant observations with Sporting Memories groups in the north of England. Prior to this, I worked for the Centre as a research assistant for the ‘What Works?’ Study of dementia training and education funded by the Department of Health, to determine the key ingredients for quality training in dementia for the health and social care workforce.
I have also been involved in past projects based at LIHS related to evaluation of family therapy for young people who self-harm (SHIFT); the provision of Systemic Therapy for At-Risk Teens (START); and a study of electronic dashboards in monitoring hospital trust data and ward-level information.
Responsibilities
- Research Fellow - FReSH START programme
- Undergraduate Tutor
Research interests
I have an interest in evaluations of complex community interventions aimed towards people with mental health needs, and engaging groups of people living in marginalised circumstances in relevant and timely support. My previous work has touched upon the use of qualitative and creative research methods.
Qualifications
- PhD in Health and Community Studies
- MSc in Psychology
- BSc in Mathematics