Claire's research focuses on social connections and loneliness in later life.
Claire's research focuses on improving later lives through collective action and social connections. She has conducted three recent projects into befriending: an evaluation of the Silver Line helpline; the development of an evaluation framework for a befriending programme in Essex; and an evaluation of a dementia buddies pilot in two hospital wards. She also has a particular interest in how different communication technologies affect the formation and character of relationships, including in a therapeutic setting. This has included a study into the use of internet-enabled cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety among older people.
Claire completed her PhD in 2013, which examined online collective action in response to government proposals for social care policy. Prior to this, she conducted qualitative research for a Carnegie UK Trust study into power and policymaking in the UK. During this period, Claire also worked with OpenDemocracy and the Joseph Rowntree Trusts, helping devise and organise conferences and seminars. Previously, Claire had a career as a journalist and sub-editor for a variety of publications in the UK, Japan and Australia.
Claire would be pleased to consider supervising doctoral students with the following research interests/topics:
Preston, C., Drydakis, N., Forwood, S., Hughes, S., Meads, C. 2019. What are the structural barriers to planning for later life? A scoping review of the literature. Social Inclusion. (Peer-reviewed article, in press)
Preston, C., Drydakis, N., Forwood, S., Hughes, S. and Burch, S. 2018. Planning and preparing for later life. London: Centre for Ageing Better (Commissioned report)Preston, C. and Burch, S. 2018. Dementia buddying as a vehicle for person-centred care? The performance of a volunteer-led pilot on two hospital wards. Journal Health Services Research and Policy (Peer-reviewed article, forthcoming)
Preston, C. and Moore, S. 2018. Ringing the changes: the role of telephone communication in a helpline and befriending service targeting loneliness in older people. Ageing & Society (Peer-reviewed article, forthcoming)
Preston, C. and Burch, S. 2017. Befriending programme final report: Evaluation framework development project. Cambridge: Anglia Ruskin University (Commissioned report)
Burch, S., Preston, C., Bateup, S. and Hine, F. 2016. The use of Internet-enabled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety amongst older people. The International Journal of Aging and Society, 8, 1, 1-11. (Peer-reviewed article)
Moore, S. and Preston, C., 2015. The Silver Line: Tackling Loneliness in Older People. Cambridge: Anglia Ruskin University and the South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (commissioned report).
Preston, C. and Moore, S., 2015. The Dementia Buddies evaluation research report. Cambridge: Anglia Ruskin University and the South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (commissioned report).
Preston, C., 2014. Hands off our benefits!: How participation in the comment section of the 2009 Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together, contributes to understandings of online collective action. Cambridge: Anglia Ruskin University (PhD thesis).
Hamaz, S. and Preston, C., 2008. Pay up or shut up: putting a price on English language lessons. In Power Moves: Exploring Power and Influence in the UK. London: Carnegie UK Trust, pp.70-97 (commissioned report).
Preston, C., Parker, M. and Moore, S., 2016. The Silver Line Evaluation: tackling loneliness in older people. Presentation at University of Leicester Psychology Cultures Seminar Series: The Inner Lives of Older People. University of Leicester, 5 December 2016.
Preston, C., Parker, M. and Moore, S., 2016. The Silver Line Evaluation: tackling loneliness in older people. Presentation at ESRC Seminar Series: Reimagining Loneliness, Loneliness Interventions: What Works (and Why). Brunel University, 7 October 2016.
Burch, S., Preston, C. and Bateup, S., 2016. The Use of Internet-enabled CBT in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety Amongst Older People. Presentation at Aging and Society: Sixth International Conference, Linköping University, Campus Norrköping, Sweden, 6-7 October 2016.
Preston, C., Moore, S. and Markannen, S., 2015. Phone friends or phony friends: why does phone-based friendship appeal to older people? Presentation at Ageing in Changing Times: Challenges and Future Prospects. 44th annual British Society of Gerontology Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1-3 July 2015..
Preston, C. and Moore, S., 2015. Rounds pegs and square holes: the role of compatible culture in the success of a dementia buddies scheme in two hospital wards. Presentation at Ageing in Changing Times: Challenges and Future Prospects. 44th annual British Society of Gerontology Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1-3 July, 2015.
Preston, C., 2013. The usefulness of mixed methods in understanding online collective action in a social care policy setting. Presentation at the London School of Economics, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion SPA Workshop Challenges and innovation in social policy research: Mixed methodologies and impact. LSE, London 16 December, 2013.
Preston, C., 2012. Online collective action against disability benefits cuts: The grassroots response to a Green Paper. Presentation at University of Leeds, Symposium The ‘Hardest Hit’: Disability research and welfare reform 2012. University of Leeds, Leeds, 20 September, 2012.