911吃瓜

Master of Urban Studies student Rahi Rahnamay Shalmani recently showcased his research at the , exploring how older adults experience climate-related risks and how local infrastructure can help mitigate them

Rahnamay鈥檚 research, A Life Course and GIS-Informed Mapping of Climate Experiences, is part of a larger Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-funded project led by 911吃瓜 Urban Studies and Gerontology professor Mei Fang.

Championing Older Adults for Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Empowerment (COALESCE), is a community-engaged research initiative that examines how older adults experience, understand, and respond to climate change and related environmental challenges, including extreme heat, poor air quality, and other climate-related hazards. The project brings together older adults, community organizations, researchers, and other partners to better understand lived experiences of climate change and identify opportunities to strengthen climate resilience.

This was Rahnamay鈥檚 first time presenting at a conference, and he found the experience rewarding.

鈥淚 enjoyed having conversations with the judges, other presenters, and attendees,鈥� says Rahnamay. 鈥淚t was particularly valuable to hear different perspectives on my work and receive feedback from people with backgrounds in gerontology and local community research.鈥�

The conference also broadened his understanding about the factors that affect the lives of older people beyond urban environments.

鈥淥ne poster that stood out to me was entitled, 鈥楳obility Matters: Impact of a Free Bus Service on Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Study from Northern Saskatchewan,鈥欌�� says Rahnamay. 鈥淚t showed how something as simple as access to reliable and affordable transportation can make a meaningful difference in older adults' independence, access to healthcare, and social connections.鈥�

Overall, he found that the conference gave him new ideas, a broader perspective on ageing, and valuable feedback on his own research.

鈥淚t was a great reminder of how much we can learn by engaging with researchers from different disciplines and looking at familiar issues through different lenses.鈥�