Emma Ferguson‑Coleman is a Deaf-researcher and specialist in dementia and Deaf care based primarily at the University of Manchester, holding a Junior Research Fellowship funded by Alzheimer’s Society, and also serving as a Lecturer in Dementia and Ageing at the University of West London’s Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory (GIAM).
Background and Academic Roles
Dr Ferguson‑Coleman has over 25 years of experience working within the intersection of mental health and deafness, initially as an independent advocate in acute and forensic settings [1]. From 2010 to at least 2024, she has held an honorary Research Fellow position in the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work at the University of Manchester, and more recently joined the University of West London as Lecturer in Dementia and Ageing[1][2].
Research Focus and Projects
Her primary research focus explores the experiences of Deaf people living with dementia and their carers, especially BSL (British Sign Language) users. Under an Alzheimer’s Society Junior Fellowship awarded in 2020, she is developing a culturally appropriate, Deaf-led intervention to support Deaf carers throughout the UK[1].
Between 2015 and 2019, she was a research associate on the Deaf with Dementia Life‑Stories Project, which created Deaf-friendly media and narrative resources to facilitate conversations between Deaf individuals and their carers[1].
Publications and Contributions
Dr Ferguson‑Coleman has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on Dementia, Deaf culture, and inclusive care. Key contributions include:
- Understanding dementia: effective information access from the Deaf community's perspective (Young, Ferguson‑Coleman & Keady, 2014), highlighting culturally meaningful methods of information access[3].
- A series of papers from 2017–2023 addressing topics such as the lived experience of Deaf caregivers during COVID‑19, public and patient involvement in research among Deaf signers, dementia-related stigma, and pragmatic challenges of Deaf children with autism[1].
She has produced 21+ research outputs, including articles, chapters, and reports, and collaborated on commissioned projects such as Dementia and the Deaf community: knowledge and service access[1].
Leadership, Teaching, and Impact
As a Lecturer at the University of West London since at least 2022, Dr Ferguson‑Coleman delivers training and workshops on Dementia and Deafness for Deaf and hearing audiences [2][4]. At Manchester, she has given invited presentations such as “Being a Deaf Academic” and contributed to outreach events like “Inspiring Young Deaf People into Research”[1].
Her work has significantly influenced dementia care policy and practice for Deaf people, earning her awards such as the Alzheimer’s Society Junior Fellowship (2020) and recognition for film‑based awareness work [1][5].
Legacy and Vision
Dr Ferguson‑Coleman’s scholarship bridges Deaf Studies, qualitative health research, and narrative methodologies. As a Deaf academic herself, she brings lived experience to her work, ensuring research is co-produced with cultural sensitivity. Her leadership in developing Deaf-led dementia narratives and interventions demonstrates a commitment to equity, visibility, and inclusion in public health and academic practice.
- University of Manchester. (2025). Emma Ferguson‑Coleman – Research Explorer profile. Retrieved from Manchester Research Explorer database.
- University of West London. (2025). Dr Emma Ferguson‑Coleman – staff profile. Retrieved from University of West London website.
- Young, A., Ferguson‐Coleman, E., & Keady, J. (2016). Understanding dementia: effective information access from the deaf community's perspective. Health & Social Care in the Community, 24(1), 39-47.
- LinguistPD. (2025). Accessible – Dr Ferguson‑Coleman returns to deliver 'Deafness with Dementia' training. Retrieved from LinguistPD website.
- University of Manchester. (2022). Researcher wins award for film raising awareness of Deaf people affected by dementia. Manchester News.
