SFU Gerontology

Early-bird rates are now open for the 2026 Friesen Conference! This year’s theme, “Climate Change in an Aging World,” explores how global trends in climate change and population aging are reshaping health, communities, and social justice. Register now: friesen2026.eventbrite.ca

The 33rd John K. Friesen Conference opens with keynote Gary Haq. From the 1960s environmental movements to today’s realities of climate change, he highlights the role of older adults in building climate-resilient communities. Register: friesen2026.eventbrite.ca

The program is now live for the 33rd John K. Friesen Conference! Explore sessions on Climate Change in an Aging World and start planning what you don’t want to miss. ⏰ Register by March 31 to secure early-bird rates: friesen2026.eventbrite.ca

Barbara Mitchell's research explores how the growing popularity of at-home DNA testing kits is transforming how people understand their family histories and, at times, even their identities. Read more: sfu.ca/gerontology/ne…

On Feb 5, SFU’s Gerontology Research Centre hosted its 21st Ellen Gee Lecture, celebrating Ellen Gee’s legacy. Isobel Mackenzie spoke on aging, demographics, and policy, and the Seniors Leadership Award recipients were announced. Read more: sfu.ca/grc/stories/bl… @SFUGSWS

Postdoctoral Fellow Eireann O'Dea discusses how generativity in later life, expressed through activities like volunteering, can serve as a protective factor, helping reduce isolation and loneliness. Listen to the podcast: thestar.com/podcasts/how-t…

Congratulations to #sfuurb & @SFUGero Professor Mei Lan Fang, who has received the Emerging Community-Engaged Researcher Award. Learn more about Professor Fang's research: sfu.ca/ceri/ceri-prog… @SFUResearch

📣 The International Society for Gerontechnology is accepting late breaker abstract submissions! Submit a paper, poster, or symposium proposal to share new or recently finalized findings. Deadline: January 31, 2026 Learn more: isg2026.com/call-for-abstr…

“Late mid-life adults are one of Canada’s largest yet most under-recognized and overextended resources…four in ten working caregivers worry about paying their bills,” explain Gail Low and Gloria Gutman. Read more: epaper.vancouversun.com/article/281646…

Congratulations to Andrew Wister on receiving a CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation grant! His project will explore how social support, participation, isolation, and loneliness shape hearing‑care access and overall well‑being. Learn more: sfu.ca/grc/stories/bl…

A digital storytelling video from Aging in the Right Place and Hey Neighbour Collective shares the voices of older adults in Metro Vancouver, exploring how social connection and community-based care create a sense of home and belonging. Watch the video: youtube.com/watch?v=4mkQ-K…

Gerontology students Aryana Mohammed and Letitia Zhu are helping shape the future of climate and aging research through their work on the A Comprehensive Approach to Enhance Older Adults’ Preparedness for Extreme Heat (COPE) project. Read more: sfu.ca/gerontology/ne…

Join us on February 5 at 4:00 pm for Isobel Mackenzie’s talk on aging and shifting demographics. 🏆 We will also present this year's Seniors Leadership Award — call for nominations now open! Register: ellengee2026.eventbrite.ca

“A typical caregiver provides 35 hours of care per week.” Gloria Gutman highlights why more home‑support services and adult day‑care options are urgently needed to support mid‑life caregivers who are burning out. Tune in: iheart.com/podcast/962-ry…

“Most long-term care still looks and feels institutional … quite often, we sacrifice quality of life for the sake of safety,” says Habib Chaudhury, @SFU professor of gerontology. Read more: cbc.ca/news/canada/br… @SFUFASS @SFUResearch

On November 6, Simon Fraser University’s Gerontology Research Centre hosted its first Research Day on Aging, a celebration of interdisciplinary learning and innovation in the field of aging. Read more: sfu.ca/grc/stories/bl…

We are excited to welcome Dr. Parminder Raina, Lead Principal Investigator of the CLSA (@clsa_elcv), as the keynote speaker for Research Day on Aging. Join us for a day of innovation, discovery, and collaboration! 🗓️ November 6 🔗 Register: researchdayonaging.eventbrite.ca

To honour and celebrate our graduate students' diversity of and excellence in research, we’ve launched the FASS Graduate Student Spotlight. Get inspired by the limitless possibilities within arts and social sciences graduate studies: sfu.ca/fass/news/2025…

A newly published scoping review provides insights into how resilience frameworks can be applied to address social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Read more: sfu.ca/grc/stories/bl…

Nominations are open for the 2025 CERi Awards at @SFU! These awards honor faculty, graduate students, and community partners advancing impactful community-engaged research. Celebrate innovation and collaboration—nominate someone today. Deadline Nov 7: bit.ly/ceriaward