My research explores the impact of ageing on planning, urban design, outdoor spaces, neighbourhoods and housing. My research addresses aspects of health and well-being, social sustainability, age-friendly cities, sense of place, identity and belonging. I work across a range of scales including the street, neighbourhood, and city to examine place-based supports for active and healthy ageing. Much of my research has been transnational in nature, working with academics, practitioners, policy-makers and community groups in the developed and developing world. My methodologies are largely participatory, working with participants as co-researchers and undertaking community mapping, participatory research, and visual methods to understanding the relationship between person and place. 

I am a Professor in Urban Studies and also Director of the Urban Institute. I joined Heriot-Watt University in 2014 as an Associate Professor in Health and Well-being. Prior to this, I worked at the Gerontology Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada exploring issues of social justice, housing and ageing-in-place. In my research career, I have evaluated urban regeneration programmes in the North-West of England exploring their impact on social and community well-being. I have undertaken research with marginalised and excluded groups including the homeless and socially isolated older adults.

I am currently P-I on two ESRC-funded grant exploring Age Friendly Cities and Communities, undertaking collaborative case study research in cities in UK, Brazil and India (total funding £1.2 million as P-I). The research will develop resources and tools for the development of tools and resources to support older adults to age-in-place.

Ryan is Adjunct Professor in Ageing at the Gerontology Research Centre (GRC), Simon Fraser University, Canada. He is also Board Member of the International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG).