Faculty directory

PhD - University of British Columbia

MSN - University of British Columbia

BSN (hons) - University of British Columbia

PDP - Secondary Teaching Certificate, University of Victoria

BSc - Microbiology & Biochemistry, University of Victoria

BCCNM
Gerontological Nurses Association of BC (GNABC) since 2013
GNABC President-Elect/President/Past President (2020-2026)
Canadian Association of Gerontological Nurses
Canadian Association of Gerontology

In considering the diversity among my students my teaching philosophy centres on a relational approach. I believe that the teacher-student relationship is the most critical factor determining success in teaching and learning. I believe creating teacher-student relationships based on trust and respect, while ensuring a context of safety is critical for engaging students and supporting their learning and success. I believe that the interplay between diversity of content, concepts, and context requires a thoughtful choice among diverse pedagogical options. Regardless of the material to be taught or the teaching strategy chosen, I believe it is the relationship I create and maintain with my students that is the most important factor in determining my success in teaching.

Care of older adults and people living with dementia
Research methodologies, particularly arts-based qualitative methods

Aging & ageism
Dementia & personhood
Arts-based methods
Intergenerational connections
Long-term care

Past 5 years only:
2025 PI - Maplewood Care Society Foundation: $16,000
2024-2026 PI -Michael Smith Health Research/Alzheimer's Society of BC C2 grant: $16,000
2024-2027 Co-I - CIHR Implementation Grant: $738,000
2023-2024 Co-I - Michael Smith Health Research/Alzheimer's Society of BC C2 grant: $16,000
2023-2024 Co-I - BC Cancer: $5,000
2023-2024 PI - UFV Internal grant: $6,000
2022-2026 PI - Alzheimer's Society of Canada: $100,000
2021 PI - SSHRC Explore grant: $5116

Past 5 years only - * denotes UFV student:

International Conferences:
Canning, S. E, Jatana, G.,* & Phinney, A. (2025). Locked Units in LTC: What Happens When You Unlock the Door? British Society of Gerontology, Surrey England, June.

Canning, S., & St-Martin, E. (2025). Convening and Collaborating to Co-create Age and Dementia Education for School Children. British Society of Gerontology, Surrey England, June.

Canning, S. E., McKenzie, M., St-Martin, G., Kaur, J., Percival, N., Wan, R., Brar, J., Jackson, L, & Makartoff, S. (2024). Caring for Cancer Patients Living with Dementia: Challenges and Ways Forward. Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Seattle, November. (poster)

Canning, S., & St-Martin, E. (2021). Navigating Arts-based Artefacts: Exploring Children’s Drawings and Letters in an Intergenerational Pen Pals Project. Thinking Qualitatively International Conference. Virtual Conference, July. (poster)

Hung, L., Gregorio, M., Jackson, L., Mann, J., Berndt, A., Wallsworth, C., Wong, L., Leitch, S., Gan, D., Canning, S., Chaudhury, H., & Phinney, A. (2020). Creating a Dementia-Friendly Community for Social Inclusion: a Scoping Review. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Virtual Conference, July. (poster)

National Conferences:
Canning, S. E., St-Martin, G., Mann, J., & Kaur, J. (2025) Cancer Care in Patients with Dementia. Canadiand Geriatric Oncology conference, Sept, Vancouver, BC. (invited speaker)

Dahl, C.*, & Canning, S. E. (2025). Exploring the Experiences of Nurse Practitioners: Providing Health Promotion and Prevention to Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses. Canadian Gerontological Nurses Association, May, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Canning, S. E., Couse, C., & Dahl, C*. (2025). Building Connections and Challenging Perceptions: A Collaborative Visual Arts Course Partnering University Students with People Living with Dementia. Canadian Gerontological Nurses Association, May, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Canning, S. E., Phinney, A., Leijin, A M, & Percival, N. (2025). Locked Units in LTC: What Happens When You Unlock the Door? Canadian Gerontological Nurses Association, May, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Couse, C., Canning, S. E. (2025). Comfort Food or a Hard Pill to Swallow: White Coat Warm Art Gallery. The International Congress on Academic Medicine April, Halifax.

Canning, S. E., Swan, O., & Pritchard Orr, A. (2024). Cycling Without Age: Innovative Access to the Natural Environment. Canadian Association on Gerontology, October, Edmonton, Alberta.

Canning, S. E., & Brown, J. (2024). Using Intergenerational Connections to Bring Gerontology Nursing to Life. Canadian Association on Gerontology, October, Edmonton, Alberta.

Canning, S. E., Janzen, A*., & Pritchard Orr, A. (2023). Cycling Without Age: Experiences of Intergenerational Pilots and Passengers. Canadian Association on Gerontology, October, Toronto, Ontario.

Canning, S. E., McKenzie, M., St-Martin, G., Kaur, J., Percival, N., Wan, R*., Brar, J*., Jackson, L, & Makartoff, S. (2023). Implementing Dementia-Friendly Cancer Care. Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists & Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologist (joint scientific meeting), September, Montreal, Quebec.

Canning, S. E., McKenzie, M., St-Martin, G., Kaur, J., Percival, N., Wan, R.*, Brar, J*., Jackson, L, & Makartoff, S. (2023). Implementing Dementia-Friendly Cancer Care. Canadian Gerontological Nurses Association, April, Niagara, Ontario.

Canning, S. E., & Hung, L. (2023). Engaging Undergraduate Students in Gerontology Through Research. Canadian Gerontological Nurses Association, April, Niagara, Ontario.

Canning, S. E., Blakeborough, D., Corman, M., Couse, C., Hatfield, G., Hughes, A., Jessiman, Murray, G., & Pritchard Orr, A. (2022) How age-friendly are we? Conducting an age-friendly university audit. Canadian Association on Ageing, October, Regina

Canning, S. E., Hung, L., Kaur, J., McKenzie, M., & St-Martin, G. (2022) Implementing a Dementia- Friendly Care

Canning, S. E., & Sakamoto, M. (2026) Families and Aging. In M. Robinson & F. Editor (Eds.), Family health care nursing: Theory, Practice, and Research (8th ed., pp. page-range). F. A. Davis.

Phinney, A., Canning, S. E., & Sakamoto, M. (2026) Aging and Public Health Nursing. In G. Boschma, & (Eds.)Pandemics, Politics, and Polarizations: (Re)Shaping Public Health Nursing in Canada, 1918-2020. UBC Press.

Canning, S. E., & Drew, C.* (2022). Canadian nursing students’ understanding, and comfort levels related to Medical Assistance in Dying. Quality Advancement in Nursing Education, 8(2). DOI:10.17483/2368-6669.1326

Canning, S. E., & St-Martin, E. (2021). Navigating arts-based artefacts: Exploring children’s drawings and letters in an intergenerational Pen Pals project. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20, 64-65.

Canning, S. E. (2020). Understanding the experience of emotional and social engagement for people with advanced dementia living in long-term care. (Doctoral Dissertation, University of British Columbia. Retrieved from University of British Columbia: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/76261

Canning, S. E., Gaetz, M., & Blakeborough, D. (2020). It takes time: Building relationships and understanding
through an inter-generational ballet programme. Dementia, 19(2), 270-284. doi.org/10.1177/1471301218772895

Canning, S., & Blakeborough, D. (2019) Intergenerational Dance in Long-term Care: An Opportunity for Social
Citizenship for Older Adults Living with Dementia. BC Studies, no. 202 Summer, 167-179.

Blakeborough, D., & Canning, S. (2019) Intergenerational Dance in Long-term Care: An Opportunity for Social
Citizenship for Older Adults Living with Dementia. BC Studies, no. 202 Summer, 154-166 (Practice Exemplar).

Canning, S. E. (2017). Exploring engagement in dementia: emerging theoretical and methodological approaches. Innovation in Aging, 1 (suppl_1), 232-232.

Canning, S., & Phinney, A. (2015). Data collection and knowledge translation through documentary film:
‘They Aren’t Scary’. Perspectives, 38(1), 6-12.

Canning, S. E. (1995). The experience of nurses caring for young-middle aged patients dying of cancer. (Masters
Thesis, University of British Columbia). Retrieved from University of British Columbia on-line access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/4152

Maplewood Care Society board member: 2022 - ongoing
-Chair 2025 - ongoing
Maplewood Care Society Foundation board member: 2024 - ongoing