Professor Esme Moniz-Cook

Esme, a Clinical Psychologist since 1980 specialised in work with older people with dementia, families, staff and commissioners in 1987.



Esme remains passionate about improving the quality of personalised support in aging and dementia care; and combating stigma through research that translates into practice. She continues to pioneer psychosocial approaches across the dementia trajectory.

Internationally, Esme:

(i) with EU-Funding, founded INTERDEM - timely and quality Psychosocial Interventions in Dementia aimed at improving the quality of life of people with dementia and their supporters (1999) - now an authoritative applied-research network hosting some 500 multi-professional health/social care academics and early career researchers;

(ii) collaborated on several international studies;

(iii) advises the Alzheimer's Association, USA (projects);

(iv)reviews large scale studies for research funders and editors of high-status journals.

Nationally, Esme

(i) early in ( 1994 - 2001) led 4 dementia intervention studies (psychosocial intervention in memory clinics, family care and care homes) and an over £ 2 million award Challenge DemCare: Management of Challenging Behaviour in Dementia (2007-2017);

(ii) collaborated on over 15 large scale dementia studies spanning psychosocial support at home through to care home / end of life;

(iii) works collaboratively on current funded dementia research;

(iv) pioneered award-winning innovations of psychosocial support in dementia in Hull.

(v) collaborated on a 2025 best practice British Psychological Society publication on psychosocial management of 'behaviour that challenges others' in dementia care. This 4-year work additionally published over 15 articles in peer review and practitioner journals including a study on what practitioners from all professionals feel is needs to improve the current NICE Guidelines for this paradigm of dementia care.

Currently Esme also:

(i) mentors senior and early career multidisciplinary researchers/ practitioners (nationally and internationally up-to 15 people a month);

(ii) offers practical help to families/ care staff / charities in Hull /East Riding of Yorkshire ( up-to 20 people families or care staff a month);

(iii) co-supports PhD students.