TRIF Fellowship Chad Witcher

My research interests and planned activity align with the UoP “Mental Health, Wellbeing and Ageing” (MHWA) theme. For instance, the overarching focus of my research program is to explore and promote health and wellbeing in the context of ageing – focusing on older adulthood (age 65+). My current trajectory reflects an evolution of research conducted in previous roles as a postdoc, postgrad and undergrad – exploring various aspects of older adult health and wellbeing including correlates of psychological/subjective wellbeing, perceptions and experiences of physical activity participation in rural settings, and socioecological influences on participation in pulmonary
rehabilitation. The fellowship will facilitate my development as a scholar in mental health and ageing – specifically social exclusion, social isolation and loneliness (SEIL) of older adults. It will also help me develop interdisciplinary relationships and partnerships with senior academics in health/biomedical sciences, public health, social sciences and gerontology with interdisciplinary
expertise in SEIL; community participation in later life; and health and geographical perspectives on healthy ageing.

In summary, my current and future research represents a focus on the biopsychosocial health of older adults and explores interdisciplinary perspectives on, and approaches to, improving the health and wellbeing of older adults – wholly consistent with the UoP MHWA theme.