Prof. Jane McDermott is Strategic Lead for Partnerships and Engagement (Newcastle University) within the NIHR Innovation Observatory leading on inclusion and engagement. Alongside strategic Lead for collaboration, inclusion and engagement, knowledge mobilisation and impact within the NIHR Policy Research Unit Healthy Ageing. Jane has an extensive experience in complex programme and project delivery, health and social care systems innovation as a game changer in the fields of ageing equality, policy research, inclusive practice and community engagement.
She has worked extensively as a multi-partnership leader co-creating within and across organisational boundaries, cultures and eco-systems, delivering mutually beneficial partnerships for impactful change. This includes senior strategic roles internationally within the European Partnership for Active and Healthy Ageing, and as European Partnerships Programme Lead responsible for range of European Commission funded programmes of work. National commissioning roles within the Centre for Ageing Better supporting a vision for society where everyone enjoys a good later life. Alongside collaborative partnership working with regional authorities, and within localities and communities employing creative methods of engagement and co-creation, some of which has been recognised as globally leading age-inclusive practice by the World Health Organisation.
Jane is a qualified leadership coach and expert facilitator, regularly bringing people together and creating inclusive spaces using liberating structures. She is an open space and thinking environment practitioner, who works with a number of community and social enterprise organisations supporting the development of women leaders.
