Research Core

The Research Core conducts and promotes community-based and community-engaged research that enhances the health and wellbeing of underrepresented older adults and their families in urban environments. Core faculty and staff provide leadership and technical assistance to emerging researchers committed to developing applied research and evaluation that is rigorous, ethical, employs advanced methods, and actively engages community partners in exploring and identifying workable solutions to complex social problems. Consistent with the mission of the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College (SSSW) and Silberman Aging, our work is grounded in a profound commitment to advancing social justice, meeting the needs of diverse and underserved populations, and strengthening the capacities of older adults, their families and communities. Our primary aim is to generate knowledge that fosters sustainable advances in practice and policies that promote healthy aging and maximize quality-of-life in later life.

Core Objectives:

• Conduct and promote the development of rigorous, community-engaged, culturally proficient research and generate knowledge that informs practice change to enhance the health and wellbeing of older adults and their families.
• Develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships with older adults and their families, caregivers, community-based health and social service organizations, academic researchers, and coalitions, and local and state agencies and service systems (e.g., NYC DFTA, DOHMH, Mayor’s Office, NYSOFA), in order to build the critical evidence base for advancing healthy aging.
• Engage and collaborate with Silberman Aging’s Community Council in all phases of development and implementation of research, utilizing critical participatory action research methods to ensure that community members, care providers, academic and social service partners are integral to all research endeavors and our research and scholarship reflects the distinct needs of the communities we serve.
• Provide mentorship, training, and financial support to students and early-career researchers from Social Work, Public Health, Nursing and allied professions in conducting rigorous, interdisciplinary, culturally proficient, community-based, and community-engaged research in aging.
• Provide technical assistance to emerging Gerontological researchers, including early-career faculty, doctoral students, and community partners. Mentor and assist partners in conducting community-based research, disseminating knowledge, and applying for external funding for work that explores and promotes the health and wellbeing of older adults and their families
• Disseminate research findings and emerging knowledge through research colloquia, peer-reviewed publications, professional conferences, community forums and lectures, and advocate for policy and practice changes based on emerging knowledge
• Pursue greater integration and cross-pollination across Hunter College and CUNY, through collaborations with geriatric researchers in social work and across disciplines at other colleges, universities, and research institutions to promote and strengthen inter-professional research on aging.
• Pursue external public and foundation funding for research initiatives that advance Silberman Aging’s mission and enhance the Center’s ongoing sustainability.