About ZeDTech
Who we are
ZeDTech is a UK-wide research and innovation network. We bring together researchers, clinicians, industry partners, charities, carers, and people with lived experience of dementia to develop technologies that make independent living possible for longer.
We are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Alzheimer’s Society.
About us
Why we exist
Dementia is one of the greatest health and social care challenges of our time. While technology has the potential to improve daily life and reduce pressure on families and services, too often solutions are burdensome, inaccessible, or poorly matched to people’s needs. ZeDTech was created to change this, ensuring new technologies are designed to be sustainable, affordable, and truly supportive for those who use them.
Our approach
At the heart of ZeDTech is collaboration and co-production. We work across sectors and disciplines, embedding the voices of people with dementia and their carers at every stage. Using advanced data science, engineering, and clinical expertise, we aim to:
design low-burden, sustainable technologies that fit seamlessly into everyday life
ensure equitable access by addressing inequalities and digital exclusion
create solutions that can scale nationally and integrate into health and social care systems
Areas of focus
Our work is organised around five areas of dementia care where technology can make the greatest difference:
Mobility: enabling safe and independent movement
Communication: keeping people connected with family, friends, and carers
Everyday living: supporting daily activities and routines
Health monitoring: providing discreet ways to track wellbeing and reduce risks
Carer support: offering reassurance and strengthening support networks
Our team
ZeDTech is led by Professor David Sharp and Professor Tim Constandinou (Imperial College London & UK Dementia Research Institute | Care Research and Technology). They are joined by a multidisciplinary team of academics and practitioners with expertise in clinical dementia, neuroscience, engineering, computer science, data science, and co-design.
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Prof David Sharp
Co-Lead, ZeDTech Network
Professor of Neurology at Imperial College London and Centre Director of the UK DRI Care Research & Technology. His research focuses on developing technology to enhance the lives of people living with dementia.
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Prof Tim Constandinou
Co-Lead, ZeDTech Network
Professor of Bioelectronics at Imperial College London. Expert in microelectronics and neuroscience, developing devices and systems that integrate with health and care to support people living with dementia.
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![Prof Louise Robinson]()
Prof Dame Louise Robinson
Workstream Lead: Carer Support
Regius Professor of Ageing and academic GP at Newcastle University. Leads research on improving quality of life and care for older people, particularly those living with dementia.
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![Prof Derk-Jan Dijk]()
Prof Derk-Jan Dijk
Workstream Lead: Health Monitoring
Professor of Sleep and Physiology and Director, Surrey Sleep Research Centre. International expert on sleep, circadian rhythms, ageing, and dementia, identifying biomarkers and interventions for healthier brain function.
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![Prof Rory O’Connor]()
Prof Rory O’Connor
Workstream Co-Lead: Everyday Living Activities
Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at University of Leeds and consultant physician. Leads research and clinical services on rehabilitation, assistive technology, and innovation to support people with long-term conditions and dementia.
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![Prof Helen Dawes]()
Prof Helen Dawes
Workstream Co-Lead: Mobility
Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation at University of Exeter. Works with clinicians, industry, and communities to co-develop and scale personalised rehabilitation innovations improving movement, independence, and quality of life.
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![Dr Shlomi Haar]()
Dr Shlomi Haar
Workstream Co-Lead: Mobility
Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Surrey. Studies motor control and neurodegeneration using sensors and AI, advancing real-world neuroscience and personalised therapies for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
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![Sarah Daniels]()
Sarah Daniels
Workstream Co-Lead: Everyday Living Activities
Occupational therapist and Health & Social Care Lead at UK DRI. Specialises in digital health, smart home sensing, and co-design to improve rehabilitation, daily living, and integrated care.
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![Dr Spencer Thomas]()
Dr Spencer Thomas
Capability Lead: Data Science
Principal Scientist at National Physical Laboratory and Science Area Leader in the Data Science Department. Expert in trustworthy machine learning, data integration, and healthcare applications, advancing reliable data-driven technologies for dementia.
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![Stephanie Lietz]()
Stephanie Lietz
Capability Lead: Project Management
Project Manager at Imperial College London. Oversees coordination and delivery across ZeDTech activities, supporting researchers, partners, and people with lived experience to ensure collaboration and impact.
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![Sophie Horrocks]()
Sophie Horrocks
Capability Lead: Public Involvement & Co-Design
Designer and researcher at Imperial’s Helix Centre. Specialist in user-centred design and public involvement, ensuring people with lived experience are central to developing inclusive health technologies.
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![Sue Boex]()
Sue Boex
Lived Experience Representative
Brings personal experience of dementia to ZeDTech, guiding research priorities and helping ensure new technologies meet the real needs of people living with dementia and their families.
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![Anna Ferguson Montague]()
Anna Ferguson Montague
Lived Experience Representative
Contributes lived experience of dementia to co-design and accessibility, ensuring ZeDTech’s technologies are inclusive, meaningful, and rooted in the everyday realities of people affected by dementia.
Our partners
We work in partnership with organisations across health and social care, research, industry, and the third sector. These include:
Health and Social Care: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith & Fulham Partnership, William Merritt Disabled Living Centre, West London Alliance, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Third Sector & Lived Experience: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Innovations in Dementia, Hammersmith & Fulham Dementia Action Alliance.
Industry: Milbotix, Withings, Howz, GoodSAM, Neu Health, Daiser, TriPulse.
Research: University of West London, University of Worcester, Health Data Research UK
