Publications

Implementation Science and Program Evaluation

Implementation science and program evaluation are interconnected approaches that focus on generating robust empirical evidence to inform and enhance policy and practice. The primary objective is to address the persistent gap between evidence-based best practices identified in scholarly literature and their practical application by policymakers and practitioners. 

Conversely, these approaches also aim to ensure that insights from real-world implementation inform academic research. This bidirectional approach facilitates a more effective translation of research into practice and practice into research, ultimately leading to more efficacious policies and interventions. 

By systematically studying the processes and outcomes of implementing evidence-based practices in various contexts, these approaches contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how to optimize the impact of research findings in real-world settings.

Policy Science and Advocacy

Policy science and advocacy in the context of gerontology encompasses collaborative efforts with influential networks and stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for modifying public policies, laws, practices, and systems. A critical component of this work is the creation and dissemination of accessible public knowledge regarding the individual and societal impacts of major policy decisions, institutional practices, and systemic forces as they relate to health, aging, and intergenerational dynamics. 

This approach emphasizes the importance of translating complex research findings into comprehensible information for policymakers and the public, thereby facilitating informed decision-making and promoting evidence-based policy reforms in the field of aging.

Social, Critical, and Environmental Gerontology

Social, critical, and environmental gerontology are interconnected approaches to the study of aging that examine factors external to the individual. These perspectives focus on how societal structures, ideologies, political economies, social networks, built environments, and spatial arrangements influence the aging process. Specifically, they investigate how these external conditions lead to disparities in resource and opportunity access across the life course. 

This lens illuminates the mechanisms by which such factors contribute to population health outcomes, social stratification, and the perpetuation or exacerbation of inequalities among aging populations. By emphasizing these broader contextual elements, these gerontological approaches provide a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between individual aging and societal forces.

Community-Engaged Research Methods

Community-engaged research methods involve active collaboration between researchers and community members throughout the entire research process. This partnership encompasses defining research questions, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating findings. By centering community voices and perspectives, these methods aim to effect meaningful change within communities. Such approaches often employ qualitative techniques, including in-depth interviews, photovoice, focus groups, and participant observations, which are suited to exploring the context and meaning behind human actions and beliefs rather than quantifying them.