丁香园AV

Welcome to the Department of Gerontology at 丁香园AV

We are experiencing a period of rapid population aging in Canada, primarily due to the aging of the large baby boomer cohorts and increases in life expectancy. These socio-demographic shifts, which are also occurring worldwide, have profound effects on older individuals and their families, the community, human and social services, long-term care and healthcare systems. In short, population aging affects us all and virtually all sectors of society. While these demographic trends pose many challenges, they also present us with many opportunities for social, technological, health and environmental innovations. Indeed, many new and exciting opportunities in this field exist that can improve the daily lives of older adults as they move along their life course.

Established in 1983, we are a thriving department comprised of faculty members who are internationally recognized researchers and teachers. Our research expertise spans many areas, including population aging, health care and health promotion, community care, built environment, dementia care, families and technological innovations for an aging society. We also embrace the study of aging within and across ethno-cultural communities and other vulnerable social groups.

The department is also supported by the Gerontology Research Centre under the Directorship of Dr. Andrew Wister. Departmental faculty and Gerontology Research Centre鈥檚 staff are highly successful in securing substantial external research funding and they regularly publish in top-tier academic journals and other outlets in gerontology and the social sciences. Faculty members are also active in research collaborations and knowledge translation and implementation activities with the broader community, such as community support services for seniors, non-profit organizations, regional health authorities, and local and federal governments.

We also offer undergraduate courses that support a Minor in Gerontology and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma, as well as graduate courses leading to a Master鈥檚 or Doctoral Degree in Gerontology. We are very proud of our students and alumni, who have been highly successful in securing careers in a wide range of gerontological or aging-related fields.

The Department and GRC websites offer more detailed information on our academic programs, student and alumni profiles, cutting-edge research projects, high-impact publications, and faculty research areas. If you have any questions about the academic programs, please email us at geradmin@sfu.ca. Also, feel free to email any of our faculty members with queries regarding their respective research areas.

Dr. Barbara Mitchell, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Gerontology, mitchelo@sfu.ca