Death of Professor Anthony Staines

The death has been announced of Anthony Staines, Full Professor in the Dublin City University School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health. 

Prof Staines's research focused on the uses of health information systems for population health improvement. He originally trained as a neonatal paediatrician before moving into public health and academic epidemiology. He joined DCU in 2007 and was the University’s first Full Professor of Health Systems. He also served as the Deputy Director of the Centre for eIntegrated Care at DCU and was a core member of the BSc in Health and Society academic delivery team. 

As well as being a leading member of the University’s academic community, Prof Staines was an internationally recognised researcher in the field of public health. During the Covid-19 epidemic, he was a voice of reason and evidence-based advice in the Irish national media, and he later co-authored a global study published in Nature that provided actionable recommendations to end the public health threat posed by the virus.

He served as chair of both the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and of St Michael’s House, one of the largest providers of services for people with intellectual disability in Ireland.

Speaking about Prof Staines, Professor Dáire Keogh, President of DCU said:

The passing of Prof Anthony Staines is a great loss to the DCU community. Anthony was an outstanding scholar of international standing who made many important contributions in the field of public health research. For those of us who knew him and worked with him, he was a well-loved colleague and friend who will be sadly missed.

Paying tribute to Prof Staines, Prof Blánaid White, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Health, said:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of our colleague Professor Anthony Staines. Anthony was a passionate academic, who has inspired generations of students. On behalf of the Faculty and the University, I wish to express my deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time, and to his many colleagues and collaborators, particularly in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, who I know are devastated at his loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Dr Gillian Paul, Head of the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health said:

Anthony was a truly valued, dedicated and kind colleague who consistently went above and beyond to support and encourage students and staff. He was a highly distinguished and influential leader in the world of public health, collaborating with researchers and clinicians nationally and across the globe. We feel very privileged to have worked alongside him and to call him our friend. The School community is devastated by his loss, he leaves a gap that cannot be filled but a legacy that will endure.

Anthony's funeral will take place on Tuesday, please see further details here.