NIHR Advanced Fellow, PPIE Theme Lead
Dr Ríona McArdle is an early career researcher specializing in digital health and mobility in dementia, with a focus on developing and implementing digital solutions to assess and support mobility impairments. She completed an Alzheimer’s Society-funded PhD (2019) investigating digitally-derived gait outcomes as diagnostic markers for dementia subtypes. She was awarded an NIHR Advanced Fellowship (2021-2025) to develop guidance on mobility measurement in dementia and explore socio-ecological influences on mobility-related activity, followed by an NIHR Three Schools Dementia Career Development Award (2025-current) to build capacity in participatory action research and intervention development. She was awarded the 2022 ISPGR Emerging Scientist Award for contributions to gait research early in her career. She is PI on eight research grants (~£1.5M) and supervises three PhD students working on mobility in dementia and neurodegeneration, digital health inclusion, and under-served populations. Dr. Mc Ardle leads PPIE for the Digital Health theme in Newcastle’s NIHR BRC. Her research aims to bridge digital innovation, mobility support, and dementia care, ensuring equitable, user-centred solutions with real-world impact.