James has a background in medical sociology and gerontology. He is interested in digital ageing and creative methods, with a focus on cognitive impairment and inclusive data generation.

His research covers several areas of the political economy of ageing and dementia, with an emphasis on using social theory and creative methods to understand later life disability as a political entity. He has published on subjects including informal dementia care networks, mental capacity legislation and its influence on research governance, the anti-ageing technoscience market, anti-stigma and awareness raising campaigns regarding psychiatric disorder, the operationalisation of ethnicity and age in research, the biomarker discovery economy, the curation of dementia-friendly cultural events, dementia prevention public health strategies, environmental effects on cognition in urban settings and the role of fertility technologies in contexts of reproductive ageing. His book The Biopolitics of Dementia won 'Best Outstanding Output' at the Research Excellence Awards 2024.

As well as traditional publication, James also develops digital and multimedia content. He produced the research podcast series Health & Society with King's College London, as well as the short film The Care-Full Home for Sociological Research Online, a satirical exploration of the rollout of AI-assisted smart technologies in the homes of older people. His recent Wellcome Trust funded work to create an interactive cognitive map of Greater Manchester resulted in the short film IN-CITU and a 'moving exhibiton' of photographs and data poems created with passengers with dementia and displayed across the regional bus network.

James has taught a wide range of social theory, research methods and ethics for undergraduates, postgraduates and postgraduate researchers. His teaching covers the medical, legal and digital implications of ageing societies and associated health conditions, with a focus on how governments, businesses, charities, researchers and families can respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. He has a particular interest in expanding the use of creative research methods in student projects and improving education regarding Mental Capacity Legislation and its consequences for people living with cognitive impairments.

Chair of the British Sociological Association's study group on Ageing, Body & Society

Editorial Board of the Journal of Aging Studies

Editor of the "Dementia in Critical Dialogue" book series

James is happy to speak to prospective doctoral candidates interested in digitalisation, ageing, health, cognition and creative methods