Double awards joy for RGU researcher

Dr Julie Jones, Associate Dean with the School of Health Sciences, won the ‘People’s Choice’ award, which was selected by people with Parkinson’s at the 2023 Parkinson’s Excellence Network Awards.

Dr Jones, who will graduate with a PhD next month, was also part of the winning team for the ‘Community Support’ award, presented to the Exercise Hub, which is a national education and peer support network for professionals, enhancing the community exercise experience for people with Parkinson’s.

Hosted at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Wednesday 22 November, the biannual Parkinson’s Excellence Network Awards celebrate outstanding health and social care services for people with Parkinson’s.

Dr Jones said: “This is a fantastic honour and what makes it so special is that the Parkinson’s community, who I know well through my work, have had their vital say in myself picking up the People’s Choice award. A huge thank you to the Parkinsons community, it is fantastic to work with such an inspirational, and motivated group of people all united in a common cause. Through working with the Parkinson’s community I have been very fortunate to meet so many amazing people, who motivate me in my role to lead service improvements for this community. Thank you also to Parkinson’s UK and the Excellence Network for all your support, without which I wouldn’t not be here today.

“The added bonus is winning the Community Support award alongside my colleagues from the Exercise Hub which is brilliant and highlights another important resource of information for the people living with Parkinson’s. With my Co-lead of the Exercise Hub Beccy Olliver, we aim to support exercise professionals nationally, raising the standards of care provided for people with Parkinson’s. I am thrilled to have won these awards tonight and I hope my involvement can help shine a light on Parkinson’s and the research being carried out to better understand it.”

Recently appointed Associate Dean for Economic Development and Community Engagement at RGU, Dr Jones is also involved with the North of Scotland Parkinson’s Research Interest Group and is co-lead of the Exercise Hub.

Julie also co-hosts the popular North of Scotland Parkinson’s Research Interest Group podcast, which launched earlier this year with the aim of increasing involvement in research and highlighting the breadth of Parkinson’s research taking place across Scotland. Dr Jones’ Parkinson’s academic work ties in with RGU’s strategic aim of research and knowledge exchange with particular focus on health and wellbeing.

Dr Rowan Wathes from Parkinson’s UK described Julie as a “powerhouse” while announcing her as winner of the ‘People’s Choice’ award at the Parkinson’s Excellence Network Awards.

“She is on a constant quest to improve care and support for people with Parkinson’s. Not just those directly under her care, but for others across the UK.

“What makes her stand out is that, at her core, she genuinely cares for people with Parkinson’s. She is in their corner,” said Dr Wathes.

Dr Jones’ research interests are primarily in Parkinson’s and she recently completed her PhD exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative approach to exercise for people with Parkinson’s.