
Adam Smith - Remembering Terry Pratchett
From Dementia Researcher Blogs by Dementia Researcher
April 28, 2026 · 2 min · Episode 689
About this episode
Adam Smith reflects on Terry Pratchett's contributions to dementia awareness and research.
Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. Adam reflects on Terry Pratchett Day by considering TP’s public response to posterior cortical atrophy, his ability to explain dementia with clarity, and his willingness to speak about choice at the end of life. The blog connects Pratchett’s advocacy with dementia research, where technical language can make lived experience feel distant. https://communities.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/c/research-chat/terry-pratchett-day-fb9c96f9-06fe-4a12-afe4-b21656a632a3 -- Adam Smith was born in the north, a long time ago. He wanted to write books, but ended up working in the NHS, and at the Department of Health. He is now Programme Director in the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research (which probably sounds more important than it is) at University College London. He has led a number of initiatives to improve dementia research (including this website, Join Dementia Research & ENRICH), as well as pursuing his own research interests. In his spare time, he grows vegetables, builds Lego & spends most of his time drinking too much coffee and squeezing technology into his house. -- Enjoy listening? We're…
People in this episode
Guest: Adam Smith
Topics covered
- dementia advocacy
- Terry Pratchett
- posterior cortical atrophy
- end of life choices
- dementia research
- public awareness
Keywords
- Terry Pratchett
- dementia
- advocacy
- posterior cortical atrophy
- end of life
- dementia research
- clarity in communication
Sponsors
Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, Race Against Dementia
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Dementia Researcher, University College London
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