DEMENTIA research at the University of Bradford has been named as one of the UK’s 100 best breakthroughs for its significant impact on people’s everyday lives.

The person-centred dementia care, developed at Bradford’s Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, was listed as one of the best breakthroughs of the last century.

Dementia Care Mapping (DCMTM), developed in Bradford, provides practitioners with a common framework and language to record the experience of care from the perspective of the person with dementia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has drawn extensively on the university’s research for its guidelines on dementia care, and the National Audit Office cites the research and DCMTM as a measure of quality of life.

Bradford’s research, which was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015, sets international policy agendas and care practice for dementia, and has contributed to the training of more than 10,000 care staff around the world.

The list was compiled by Universities UK as part of its MadeAtUni campaign, aimed at changing public perceptions of universities.

Professor John Bridgeman, pro-vice chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer), said: “It is a fantastic achievement for the university to be featured in the UK’s Best Breakthrough list.

“We’re extremely proud of the work of our academics and the difference they are making to people, lives and communities.

“The MadeAtUni campaign is an incredibly important initiative for the University of Bradford as it allows students, alumni, the local community and the wider population to understand the work that we do and the impact it has.”

Professor Dame Janet Beer, president of Universities UK, said: “Universities really do transform lives. The technology we use every day, the medicines that save lives, the teachers who inspire – all come from UK universities and the important work being done by academics.

“The UK’s Best Breakthroughs list is a testament to the difference that universities make to people’s lives and we want everyone to join us in celebrating the work they do.”

As well as major research projects, the list also recognised less celebrated projects which have helped transform lives.

These include a specially-designed bra for women going through radiotherapy, a toilet that flushes waste without the need for water, the development of a new scrum technique to make rugby union safer, a sports initiative that aims to use football to bring divided communities together, and even work to protect the quality of the chocolate that we eat.