University of Tasmania homepage
Photo of Doctor Sunny Jang

Doctor

Sunny Jang

Lecturer in Dementia

Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre

Orcid identifier0000-0001-7186-3055
  • Lecturer in Dementia
    Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre
  • 03 6226 4366 (Work)
  • Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre, Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, 417a MS1, Hobart CBD Campuses, TAS

BIO

Dr Sunny Jang is a lecturer at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Tasmania and a Master's in Person-Centred Dementia Care from the University of Wollongong. Additionally, she is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, Certified Personal Care/Nursing Assistant, and Dementia Care Educator.

With extensive teaching experience nationally and internationally, Sunny is also a dedicated researcher. Her focus areas include incorporating lived experiences with dementia into teaching and learning, culturally sensitive approaches to caring for individuals living with dementia, educating the aged care workforce on dementia, and enhancing communication in dementia care settings.


Biography

Before joining the Bachelor of Dementia Care team, Dr Sunny Jang played multiple roles at the University of Tasmania. She was a tutor/casual lecturer, research assistant, and marketing officer in Education, and project officer in Student Evaluation, Review and Reporting Unit (SERRU). Prior to working at the University of Tasmania, she was an English instructor at an English Language Instruction in South Korea, and a lecturer at Jade University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

Qualifications

MSc(Person Centred Dementia Care) University of Wollongong Australia 2024
Certificate III in Individual Support (ageing and community) 2023
GradCertSc(Gerontology and Rehabilitation Studies) University of Wollongong Australia 2022
GradCertEd(University Learning and Teaching) University of Tasmania Australia 2021
PhD 'I am a YouTuber': A netnographic approach to profiling teen use of YouTube University of Tasmania Australia 2015
M.Ed University of Tasmania Australia 2010
GradCertEd(TESOL) University of Tasmania Australia 2010
B.Comp(IS); Australian Catholic University Australia 2005

Awards and Scholarship
Elite PhD scholarship at University of Tasmania
NSW Division Prize for Top Student in Dementia Care and Rehabilitation and Gerontology at University of Wollongong
Teaching Certificates (Individual and Team) at University of Tasmania

Citation Award (Team) for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at University of Tasmania

Memberships
Professional practice
Australian Multicultural Interaction Institute
Australian Association for Research Education
Australian Association of Gerontology
Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) at International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners from 24/5/2023 - 24/05/2025

Other
Associate Editor of the International Journal of Learning

Administrative expertise
Assisting and managing large projects such as ARC granted research projects, benchmarking projects, and OLT projects

Teaching expertise
Coordinating large online courses

DEGREES

  • Master of Science (Person Centred Dementia Care)
    University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia6 Feb 2023 - 19 Jul 2024
  • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology and Rehabilitation Studies
    University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia1 Feb 2021 - 13 Dec 2022
  • Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching
    University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia6 Feb 2017 - 21 Aug 2021
  • PhD
    University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia11 Feb 2011 - 19 Dec 2015
  • Graduate Certificate in Research
    University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia7 Feb 2011 - 13 Dec 2011
  • Master of Education
    University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia8 Feb 2010 - 18 Dec 2010

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Certificate III in Individual Support (ageing, home and community)
    Foresite Training, Hobart, Australia6 Jul 2023 - present
  • Certified Dementia Practitioners
    International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, New Jersey, United States24 May 2023 - 24 May 2025
  • Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional
    International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, New Jersey, USA30 Apr 2023 - 30 Apr 2025

LANGUAGES

  • Korean
    Can read, write, speak, understand and peer review

SCHOOL AND PORTFOLIO

  • Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre

FIELD OF RESEARCH