My behavioural and social science research focuses on evidence-based best practice in:

• the care of older people
• alleviating and managing behavioural and psychological symptoms in people living with dementia

Specifically, I have interests in innovative health technology (e.g. telepresence and therapeutic/social robots) and psychosocial interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of older people, people living with dementia and their family carers; and to enhance care provision by health professionals in aged care.

Between 2014-2017, I was an associate investigator and lead data analyst on a cutting-edge National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project, led by Prof Wendy Moyle (Griffith University) that evaluated the effect of an interactive therapeutic robotic animal on engagement, mood states, agitation and antipsychotic drug use. Presently, I am also an associate investigator on a Curtin University led NHMRC research project that examines caregiver, patient, and system outcomes from a program supporting informal caregivers of older people discharged home from hospital.

I have led and developed the ‘Engagement of a Person with Dementia Scale’ with Dr Billy Sung (Curtin University) and Prof Wendy Moyle (Griffith University) to assess the behavioural and emotional expressions and responses of people with dementia when presented with a psychosocial activity. Notably, this research work was accepted for presentation at the prestigious Gerontological Society of America Conference (2016, New Orleans, US) and the 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics (2017, San Francisco, US). Plans are underway to introduce the use of this scale in research and practice as well as the translation for use in a Chinese context.

In 2013, I developed the ‘Sexualities & Dementia: Education Resource for Health Professionals’ in collaboration with Dementia Training Australia (formerly known as Queensland Dementia Training and Study Centre). This work has received extensive media coverage in Australia, as well as significant research and policy interest. I am the leading educator on sexualities and dementia in Australia (a stigmatized and neglected aspect of care for older people and those living with dementia). As part of the dissemination of this education resource, I have delivered numerous workshops, seminars and webinars on this topic for health professionals and staff from aged care organisations nationwide and internationally. Presently, I am involved in research projects that assess and improve knowledge, attitudes and care practices of health professionals towards the expression of sexuality by older people, and those living with dementia. These work are to enable the facilitation of a care environment that is supportive of the verbalisation and expression of sexual preference, need and desire by older people, and those living with dementia as part of health and social care.

I am an experienced research intensive academic and have supervised 1 PhD, 2 Master and 1 Gradudate Diploma student to completion. I am presently the supervisor of 7 PhD students and in 2017, I received a Griffith University DVC Academic Commendation – Excellent Teacher. Besides my expertise in ageing and dementia care research, I am highly regarded and sought for my statistical knowledge and provide research ethics, methodological design and data analysis guidance (both quantitative and qualitative) to both staff and HDR students. Examples of HDR projects that I am currently supervising:

• Tai-Chi with thera-band for older office workers
• Medication adherence & technology for carers & people with dementia
• Social robot (PARO) & depression for older people
• Social robot (PARO) & pain management for people with dementia
• E-health app & health literacy for carers of people with dementia
• Environment (landscape/garden, sensory stimulation) & engagement/agitation for people with dementia
• Assessment of health professionals’ knowledge & attitudes on sexuality, ageing & dementia

Contact me if you are interested in undertaking health research related to ageing, dementia care, sexuality, scale development and validation, workforce training and development as well as health technologies.