Read Dr. Janet Fast’s personal story about confronting the intersection of paid work and care work and how one pivotal question can shape a career. Throughout her career, Dr. Janet Fast has engaged in research, policy, and practice focusing on the economics of aging and the paid work and unpaid care work of family members. Her research addresses family, labour, health, and continuing care policy issues, and she often advises government policy-makers and NGOs on caregiving and workplace support policies.
Dr. Fast co-leads a multidisciplinary research program investigating the intersection of work and care across the life course and valuing the contributions of family caregivers to the Care Economy. She is on two large, transdisciplinary, and international research programs: the AGE-WELL National Centres of Excellence, Canada’s technology and aging network, and the UK-based Sustainable Care: Connecting People and Systems program. Dr. Fast was a Visiting Professor at the Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Economy (CIRCLE) at Leeds University. She was also awarded the Mirabelli-Glossop Award for Distinguished Contribution for her exceptional and sustained contributions to the work of the Vanier Institute of the Family. Dr. Fast passed away on September 2, 2024.
Norah Keating
Dr. Norah Keating is a social gerontologist whose professional life has been devoted to enhancing the quality of life of older adults. She has an international reputation for her work in families, liveable communities, and care. Dr. Keating is also a Professor of Rural Ageing at Swansea University and an Extraordinary Professor at North-West University in South Africa. She directs the International Association on Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) Global Social Issues on Ageing (GSIA) as part of her international research and capacity-building activities. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) in the UK for her contribution to social science.
Governments and NGOs often call on Dr. Keating to provide evidence to inform social and health policy. She developed a research framework for the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030). She worked with the Canadian government on its national campaign to reduce loneliness and social exclusion of older adults. Other consultations include a report on intergenerational relationships for the UK government and technical advising to the World Health Organization on two initiatives: The World Report on Ageing and Health and Community-based Initiatives to Support Older Adults in Low-Income Countries.
Megan Strickfaden
Dr. Megan Strickfaden’s background includes a PhD in Anthropology and Design Studies from Edinburgh Napier University, an Engineering Diploma in Design Research from Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, an MDes in Sustainable Design Practice, and a BA specialization with a double major in Art/Design & Anthropology, both from the University of Alberta. She has also spent more than a decade working as a practicing designer.
Dr. Strickfaden’s research interests are material culture, design, and disability studies, including designing liveable spaces that enhance older adults’ well-being, particularly those with dementia. She is the only academic in the world to research De Hogeweyk (Dementia Village) in the Netherlands and translate key learnings to Canadian contexts. She is part of collaborative teams that involve researchers from the University of Alberta and international institutions, as well as graduate and undergraduate students.
Jacquie Eales
Jacquie Eales was the RAPP Research Manager for nearly three decades, retiring in December 2023. She strongly advocates for older adults and their families and works collaboratively and effectively with relevant policy, practice, and advocacy partners. She is passionate about translating research knowledge into useful formats to facilitate its uptake by policy, practice, and community partners.
Jacquie makes a meaningful difference in her community by serving on the Board of Directors of the GeriActors (2023-present), Age-Friendly Edmonton Leadership Table (2018-2023), and the Board of Directors of GEF Seniors Housing (2016-2022), championing the Cycling Without Age grassroots program in Edmonton, and hosting four-generation family suppers every week. In 2022, Jacquie was nominated for a Minister of Seniors Service Award for her outstanding commitment and contribution to Alberta Seniors.