Professor Anne Whittaker

Professor of Nursing

CHeCR Centre for Healthcare and Community Research (CHeCR) Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK.

Professor Anne Whittaker

Contact details

About me

I am Professor of Nursing and academic in applied substance use and mental health research, based in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, at the University of Stirling.

Over the past 15 years, I have led a programme of applied health and social care research, primarily related to the treatment and care of adults, children and families affected by substance use.

My clinical background spans 20+ years and includes senior nursing and managerial posts in addictions, blood borne viruses, mental health and learning disabilities services within the National Health Service (NHS) and Local Authority Social Services.

I was born and brought up in Australia, before moving to London and then Edinburgh to live and work nearly 40 years ago. I am an NMC registered nurse in Mental Health (RMN) and Learning Disabilities (RNLD) and I completed further qualifications in psychology and psychotherapy before completing my doctorate.

My primary research interests include interdisciplinary mixed methods research that aims to advance policy and practice related to the care of people affected by substance use, with a focus on improving health and wellbeing, inclusion, and health justice.

I have served on numerous committees, including the HIPS grant review committee for the Chief Scientist Office (Scotland), the CORRA Foundation Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI), and various NIHR funded project Steering Committees.

I have been a member of several research networks and a trustee of the Addiction in the Family International Network (AFINet). I previously served as academic lead for the ‘Families’ Research Theme in the Drugs Research Network for Scotland (DRNS) and was a founding member of the network in 2017.

I regularly peer review journal paper manuscripts and research grant applications for major research funders such as NIHR, MRC and the ESRC. I supervise and examine PhD and Clinical Doctorate students and provide consultancy on training and clinical practice related to the care of children and families affected by parental drug and alcohol use.

I now work part-time at the University and am semi-retired.

Anne Whittaker, PhD.

Other Academic Activities

Drugs Research Network for Scotland (DRNS)
Scottish Government

https://drns.ac.uk/
Steering Committee member and Academic Lead for the 'Families' research theme.

HIPS panel member, Chief Scientist Office (CSO)
Scottish Government - Chief Scientist Office