Dr Sommerlad's research investigates the nature, causes and consequences of social functioning impairment in people with dementia. He uses multiple methodologies including observational research using clinical and population-based cohorts and routinely collected electronic health records; qualitative methods; psychometric research; systematic review and meta-analysis to examine clinically relevant outcomes in dementia and cognition for older people.

His current main studies include:

• The SOCIAL (Social Cognition and Functioning in Alzheimer's Disease) study as part of a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship aiming to clarify the nature and consequences of impairment in social cognition in people with Alzheimer's disease.
• The SONNET (Social Connection in Long-term Care Home Residents) study which aims to improve the measurement of social connection in care homes using systematic review, qualitative research, measurement tool development and psychometric testing. More information about the SONNET study can be found on the study website.
• The SF-DEM (Social Functioning in Dementia) which is first valid and reliable instrument aiming to measure social functioning in people with dementia. The scale can be accessed from the study website, and there are ongoing collaborations between the SF-DEM team and researchers translating and validating the scale internationally.

Dr Sommerlad's research is currently funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Alzheimer's Association and Brain Canada. His research has won prizes from the Royal Society of Medicine, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Mental Health Foundation research prize.