Karan graduated from the University of Salford in 2006 with a First Class Honours degree in Health Sciences. During her final year she conducted research for Dementia UK (then known as Fordementiaplus) exploring South Asian carers’ experiences of services in Wolverhampton when caring for a family member with dementia.

This research led to her doctoral study at Keele University which explored how migration experiences impact upon caring for a person with dementia in the Sikh community in Wolverhampton. This biographical study highlighted challenges with access to, and experience of, health and social care services in the UK – with such experiences being strongly linked to their experiences as migrants in the UK.

As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Karan has extensive experience of developing and delivering bespoke education and training programmes to support healthcare professionals and services to be culturally competent via a person-centred approach. Part of her education and training also involves understanding neurological impairment in dementia and how cognitive ability can be supported for such people. Karan is a strong believer that ‘dementia is not the death that leaves the body behind’ and that people with dementia can be supported to live well via creativity. Karan is also a professional dancer and is the co-founder of Eclectic Dancers. Her passion for dance and appreciation of the arts allows her to both combine and support creativity for improved mental health and wellbeing. Karan continues to develop the research agenda to not only support people to live well with dementia but to also do this in a culturally inclusive way.

Karan has also volunteered a lot of her time to supporting families living with issues that are considered taboo in the community, such as domestic violence and alcoholism. As a British born Asian woman, she understands the cultural expectations placed on women and does a lot of work to develop their confidence and assertiveness skills. Due to the lack of culturally appropriate services, she often voluntarily provides training and education with family members/carers of a person with dementia to help them better support their loved one.