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Andrew Sixsmith

Professor | Director of the Science and Technology for Aging Research (STAR) Institute | Network Advisor of AGE-WELL NCE

Andrew Sixsmith, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University and is Director of Science and Technology for Aging Research (STAR) Institute at Simon Fraser University. He was the Scientific Director of AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) between 2015-2020 and the Associate Scientific Director between 2020-2022. He is now an AGE-WELL Network Advisor. Dr. Sixsmith was past President of the International Society of Gerontechnology from 2014-16 and was previously Director of the Gerontology Research Centre and Deputy Director of the IRMACS Centre at SFU. His research interests include technology for independent living, theories and methods in aging and understanding the innovation process. His work has involved him in a leadership and advisory role in numerous major international research projects and initiatives with academic, government and industry partners. He received his doctorate from the University of London and was previously a lecturer at the University of Liverpool in the Institute of Human Ageing and Department of Primary Care.

Education

PhD, Geography, King's College London
MA, Geography, University of Keele
BA Joint Hons., Geography and American Studies, University of Keele

Research

Technology for independent living; theories and methods in aging and understanding the innovation process; technologies to connect people; technology policy and the digital divide

Current/Selected Grants

Contract/Grant: Operating Grant Awarded: 2022 Period: 2022 - 2024

Project Title: Cognitive Effects of Individualized Lifestyle Interventions in Typical Ageing
Funding: Mitacs Accelerate Type: External Total: $160,000
Involvement: Principal Investigator

Contract/Grant: Operating Grant Awarded: 2021 Period: 2021 - 2023

Project Title: AGE-WELL Challenge Area Development Funding: Healthy Lifestyles and Wellness
Funding: Networks of Centres of Excellence Type: External Total: $57,000
Involvement: Principal Investigator

Contract/Grant: Operating Grant Awarded: 2021 Period: 2021 - 2023

Project Title: SFU STAR Institute-411 Seniors Research Grant - Navigation & Peer Support
Funding: 411 Seniors Centre Society Type: External Total: $50,000
Involvement: Principal Investigator

Contract/Grant: Operating Grant Awarded: 2014 Period: 2015 - 2024

Project Title: Aging Gracefully Across Environments Using Technology to Support Wellness, Engagement, and Long Life (AGE-WELL)
Funding: Networks of Centres of Excellence Type: External Total: $58,554,189
Involvement: Principal Investigator. Scientific Diector 2015-2020. Associate Scientific Director 2020-2024.

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Atoyebi, O., Wister, A., Mitchell, B., Sixsmith, A. (2019). A reformation and assessment of the Global AgeWatch Wellbeing Index: inclusion of a gender-based domain. Journal of Population Research, 36(4), 365-390.
Nagarajan, R N, Wada, M., Fang, M., Sixsmith, A. (2019). Defining organizational contributions to sustaining an ageing workforce: a bibliometric review. European Journal of Ageing, 1-25.
Lindqvist, E., PerssonVasiliou, A., Hwang, A., Mihailidis, A., Astelle, A., Sixsmith, A., Nygård, L. (2018). The contrasting role of technology as both supportive and hindering in the everyday lives of people with mild cognitive deficits: a focus group study. BMC geriatrics, 18(1), 185.
Christie, J., Hamilton, T., Manor, B., Farb, N., Farzan, F., Sixsmith, A., Temprado, J., Moreno, S. (2017). Do Lifestyle Activities Protect Against Cognitive Decline in Aging? A Review. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9.
Boger, J., Jackson, P., Mulvenna, M., Sixsmith, J., Sixsmith, A., Mihailidis, A., Kontos, P., Polgar, J., Grigorovich, A., Martin, S. (2017). Principles for fostering the transdisciplinary development of assistive technologies. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 480-490.
Sixsmith, A., Mihailidis, A., Simeonov, D. (2017). Aging and Technology: Taking the Research into the Real World. Public Policy and Aging Report, 27(2), 74-78.
Kaufman, D., Sauvé, L., Renaud, L., Sixsmith, A., & Mortenson, B. (2016). Digital gameplay by older adults: Patterns, benefits, and challenges. Simulation & Gaming, 1-25. DOI: 10.1177/1046878116645736.
Mortenson, W., Sixsmith, A., & Woolrych, R. (2015). The power (s) of observation: theoretical perspectives on surveillance technologies and older people. Ageing and Society, 35(03), 512-530.
Gomersall, T., Astell, A., Nygård, L., Sixsmith, A., Mihailidis, A., Hwang, A. (2015) Living With Ambiguity: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Research on Mild Cognitive Impairment. The Gerontologist, 2015, 1–21. DOI:10.1093/geront/gnv067 Advance Access publication August 27, 2015.
Sixsmith, A., Sixsmith, J., Malmgren, Fänge A., Naumann, D., Kucsera, C., Tomsone, S., Haak, M., Dahlin, Ivanoff, S., Woolrych, R. (2014) Healthy Ageing and Home: the Perspectives of Very Old People in Five European Countries. Social Science and Medicine, 106, 1-9
Sixsmith, A., Woolrych, R., Schonnop, R., Robinovitch, S., Chaudhury, H., Feldman, F. (2013). Understanding Contextual Factors in Falls in Long-term Care Facilities. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 14(3), 4-12. [Early cite http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=17093492].
Sixsmith, J., Sixsmith, A., Callender, M., Corr, S. (2012). Wartime experiences and their implications for the everyday lives of older people. Ageing and Society.
Sixsmith, A., Orpwood, R., Torrington, J. (2010) Developing a music player for people with dementia. Gerontechnology, 9(3), 421-427.
Sixsmith, A. (2020), "COVID-19 and AgeTech", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. http://summit.sfu.ca/item/20835

Books (Edited Volumes)

Sixsmith, A., Sixsmith, J., Mihailidis, A., Fang, M. (2020). Knowledge, Innovation, and Impact - A Guide for the Engaged Health Researcher. New York: Springer. (in press)
Sixsmith, A., Gutman, G. (2013) Technologies for Active Aging. New York: Springer.
Augusto, JC., Huch, M., Kameas, A., Maitland, J., McCullagh, P., Roberts, J., Sixsmith, A., Wichert, R. (2012). Handbook of Ambient Assisted Living - Technology for Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Well-being. Amsterdam: IOS Press ISBN 978-1-60750-836-6

Gerontology