If you made any changes in Pure these will be visible here soon.

Personal profile

Research interests

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. 

 

Biography

I am a Professor in Ageing and Urban Studies and 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. 

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.

 

 

Roles & Responsibilities

Ryan is Director of the Urban Institute.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Ryan Woolrych is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or