Sunny Chan

Dr. Sunny Chan serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Bristol within the College of Health, Science and Society, joining UWE in 2022 after holding an Assistant Professor position at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2018-2021).

His academic qualifications include:

• PhD in Mental Health
• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology
• Master of Social Science in Mental Health
• Master of Counseling

Dr. Chan specializes in mental health interventions for aging populations, with core expertise in mindfulness, tai chi, and culturally adapted mind-body therapies. His research addresses critical gaps in dementia care, sleep disturbances among older adults, and cognitive decline through innovative programs like DREAM (Dyadic mind-body intervention for Relieving Enduring sleep disturbances Among older individuals with deMentia) and CALM-SLEEP-SCD (Culturally Adapted Lifestyle Mind-Body Practices for Sleep among Older People with Subjective Cognitive Decline).

With nearly 40 peer-reviewed publications, his work demonstrates consistent focus on translational applications of Eastern rehabilitation practices in Western healthcare contexts, particularly for minority ethnic communities and pre-clinical cognitive populations.

Dr. Chan has secured over £4 million in competitive research grants from Hong Kong and additional £180k in UK funding, reflecting strong external validation of his research vision. His community-engaged approach involves co-developing interventions with patients, caregivers, and stakeholders to ensure cultural relevance.

As an active practitioner, he maintains extensive training in mindfulness and tai chi across Hong Kong, Beijing, Taiwan, and the USA, directly informing his evidence-based program development for vulnerable aging populations.