Research Interests


SERC's research interests include but are not limited to:
  • Creative and Performing Arts: Through the Sheridan Elder Research Centre for Creative Aging (SERCCA), SERC conducts applied research that explores how participating in the creative and performing arts promotes healthy aging and to develop innovative strategies that increase participation. 
  • Learning in Retirement: Our goal is to understand and respond to both the physical and psychological barriers that impact older persons' access to learning opportunities in later life. Learning should continue throughout life; to accomplish this, SERC has explored the role of learning opportunities in retirements homes and in long-term care facilities.  
  • Civic Engagement: What is the role of volunteer work as a non-traditional way to access opportunities for personal development while "giving back" in retirement?
  • The Built Environment: What is the role of design in living spaces, public spaces, and "everyday" products on older persons' health, quality of life, and ability to age at home?
  • Accessible Technology: SERC has conducted many research projects exploring how best to support older learners with personal computing and other technologies. These may include web-based communities and other supportive technologies that could improve quality of life.