Anthea Innes

Anthea Innes is a Professor in the Department of Health, Aging & Society within the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University. A dedicated social scientist with 25 years of specialization in dementia research, she focuses on engaging with the lived experiences of those impacted by dementia including diagnosed individuals, family members, and professional care supporters. Her work spans the entire care continuum from pre-diagnosis to end of life.

Dr. Innes holds a BA (Hons) in Sociology and Social Policy and an MSc in Applied Social Research from the University of Stirling, and a PhD from the University of Bradford (1998-2000). Her research interests prominently feature rurality, technology applications, and creative approaches to supporting people living with dementia. She has conducted international research across Canada, Malta, England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and her native Scotland.

Her scholarly work demonstrates a strong emphasis on community engagement and knowledge translation, with significant impact on policy development including the Northern Ireland Regional Dementia Strategy and the Maltese Dementia Strategy. Dr. Innes actively collaborates with INTERDEM, a European network of psychosocial dementia researchers, and RADAR, a Canadian research team focused on rural dementia care. She has co-authored influential publications including 'Dementia: The Basics' (2020) and 'How to Live Well with Dementia' (2024), demonstrating her commitment to making dementia research accessible to broader audiences.

Dr. Innes serves as an active member of government policy groups in the UK and has pioneered community-based knowledge translation through radio broadcasts, online forums, community events, and learning festivals. Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as 'Aging and Wellbeing' and 'Living Well with Dementia: Social and Physical Environments,' reflecting her comprehensive approach to dementia education.