Janet Fast
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Professor, Human Ecology Degree: PhD, Consumer Economics, Cornell University PHEc.; MSc, Consumer Behaviour, University of Guelph; BHE, University of British Columbia Location: 316 Human Ecology Phone: 780-492-5768 Fax: 780-492-4821 Email: janet.fast@ualberta.ca |
Major Responsibilities/Research Interests: Dr. Fast researches family and consumer policy issues. A major theme is the paid and unpaid work of family members. She currently co-leads a large international, multidisciplinary team investigating the juxtaposition of costs and contributions of adults with chronic illness and disability. On the cost side, the team is examining the consequences of recent health and social policy reform for family and friends who care for aging adults with chronic illness and disability. Of particular interest are the economic consequences of having to make adjustments to one’s job in order to provide care. On the contributions side, they are exploring the productive and social engagement of aging adults. Dr. Fast also conducts research on workplace policy as it relates to family members’ ability to balance paid work and family demands.
Teaching
Undergraduate
HECOL 300 Human Ecological Perspectives on Policy Development and Evaluation
Graduate
HECOL 550 Selected Topics in Human Ecology
HECOL 616 Families and Work
Selected Publications
Bittman, M. Fast, J. E., Fisher, K., & Thomson, C. (2004). Making the invisible visible: The life and time(s) of informal caregivers. In M. Bittman & N. Folbre (Eds.), Family time: The social organization of care (pp. 69-89). London, UK: Routledge.
Fast, J. & de Jong Gierveld, J. (2008). Ageing, disability and participation. In N. Keating (Ed.), Rural ageing: A good place to grow old? (pp. 63-73). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.
Keating, N., Dosman, D., Fast, J. & Swindle, J. (2008). Sharing the work: Care networks of frail seniors in Canada. In A. Martin-Matthews & J. Phillips (Eds.), Blurring the boundaries: Ageing at the intersection of work and home life. (pp. 165-183). London, UK: Routledge.
Fast, J., Charchuk, M., Keating, N., Dosman, D., & Moran, L. (2006, March). Participation, roles and contributions of seniors. Final report to Human Resources and Development Canada (formerly Social Development Canada) Knowledge and Research Directorate, Ottawa, ON.
Fast, J.E., Dosman, D. & Moran, L. (2006). Productive activity in later life: Stability and change across three decades. Research on Aging, 28, 691-712.
Dosman, D., Fast, J., Chapman, S.A., & Keating, N. (2006). Retirement and productive activity in later life. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 27(3), 401-419. Available at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/7066317735666528/fulltext.pdf
Fast, J.E., Higham, B., Keating, N., Dosman, D., & Eales, J. (2005) Family/friend caregiving and its consequences: Implications for the Compassionate Care Benefit Program. Final report to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Audit and Evaluation Directorate. Edmonton: Authors.
Fast, J., Keating, N., Otfinowski, P., & Derksen, L. (2004). Characteristics of family/friend care networks of frail seniors. Canadian Journal on Aging, 23(1), 5-19.
Bittman, M., Fast, J.E., Fisher, K. & Thomson, C. (2004). Making the invisible visible: The life and time(s) of informal caregivers. In M. Bittman & N. Folbre (Eds.), Family time: The social organization of care (pp. 69-89). London, UK: Routledge.
Keating, N.C., Fast, J.E., Frederick, J.A., Cranswick, K. and Perrier, C. (1999). Eldercare in Canada: Context, content and consequences. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada.
Fast, J.E., Williamson, D.L. and Keating N.C. (1999). The hidden costs of informal elder care. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 20(3), 301-326.
Awards
- 2004/05 - Killam Annual Professorship
Graduate students currently supervised and their research topics/areas
Chelsea Dunlop (MSc Aging). Thesis title: The meaning of contributions to aging adults with chronic illness/disability.
Jennifer Stewart (MSc Aging). Thesis title: TBA
Arianna Waye (PhD Interdisciplinary). Thesis title: TBA
Satomi Yoshino (PhD). Thesis title: The ethno-cultural context of caring for dependant adults.
Cecilia Reyes (PhD). Thesis title: TBA
Current Research Grants
Hidden Costs/Invisible Contributions: The Marginalization of 'Dependent' Adults. Funded by SSHRC Major Collaborative Research Initiative ($2,395,000) and participating institutions and partners (approx. $600,000).
Adults at the Margins. Funded by Human Resources and Social Developemnt Canada. ($169,981).
Understanding the Income and Expenditure of Alberta Seniors. Funded by Alberta Seniors and Community Supports ($30,000).
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