Anita Acai

Assistant Professor (Part-Time), Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences

Dr. Acai designs and leads applied research using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Her work focuses on evaluating and strengthening professional learning programs across the health and human service sectors, with particular attention to initiatives that aim to improve outcomes for marginalized and equity-deserving populations.

Dr. Acai's disciplinary research examines how healthcare providers—such as physicians, nurses, and social workers—are taught and supported in their learning. She studies educational programs, teaching practices, assessments, and learning environments with the goal of improving how current and future practitioners develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for high-quality care.

Most recently, Dr. Acai served as Director, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) at George Brown Polytechnic, leading the institution’s SoTL strategy, faculty development initiatives, and funding and dissemination efforts. Before that, she was a full-time Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and Surgery at McMaster University, and an Education Scientist with St. Joseph’s Education & Research Centre. She continues to hold a part-time faculty appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster and serves as an Adjunct Scientist with the MERIT Centre.

To learn more, please visit anitaacai.com.