Stephen Fay

Background

About Stephen Fay

My Medical Humanities research and practice explores the impact of creative expression interventions on the mental health and well-being of people with dementia and their families. From 2019-21, I led the Proyecto Narrativas study in Medellín (Colombia) in collaboration with the Antioquia Neuroscience Group (GNA). The study used oral narratives to explore the link between creativity, well-being and social connectedness. In response to the COVID-19 lockdown, we transitioned to online delivery of the study, with very positive results across all domains. From 2023, I have been working with members of the 3 Nations Dementia Working Group, the leading advocacy organisation for an by people with dementia, to co-create guidelines for digital creative expression interventions for people with the disease. This project has now led to a SHAPE Catalyst-funded project to co-design a dementia-friendly and human-in-the-loop AI creativity solution (CREATION) to prompt daily creative activities, reduce isolation, boost wellbeing and thus slow disease progression and the related primary and secondary care needs and costs. Before taking my MA (King’s College London) and PhD (University of Nottingham), I lived in Latin America for five years working as a lecturer (UAM Nicaragua), translator (Cuban National Assembly) and cultural correspondent (Radio Habana Cuba).