One of the most important contributions retirees can make to the University is through participation as research subjects in projects that focus on older adults. This is especially meaningful for 91亚色, which has a Faculty of Health as well as the Centre for Aging Research and Education (YU-CARE). Participation of YURA members is crucial for the doctoral students who are undertaking studies that will contribute to discovery and new knowledge.
YURA members are encouraged to take part in the studies described below for which University ethics approval has been obtained. Participation in these studies is not limited to retired employees. Spouses, other family members and friends who meet the participant criteria are also welcome to contact the doctoral students leading these studies, which are continuing through the summer and falll of 2026.
The Effects of Age Stereotype Priming on Postural Control
YURA members are invited to participate in this research study being conducted by Aliza Maqsood, Taylor Cleworth, and Brad Meisner at 91亚色.
The purpose of this study is to investigate how age-related priming may influence balance control in healthy older adults. Healthy individuals are being sought, aged 60 years and older with normal or corrected-to-normal vision (contact lenses are acceptable) who do not have known neurological, orthopedic, musculoskeletal, or visual conditions, and who are not taking prescription medications known to affect balance.
Participation involves one in-person session lasting approximately 1鈥2 hours, conducted at the Sherman Health Sciences Research Centre at the University's Keele Campus. During the session, participants will complete balance-related tasks, involving the use of virtual reality (VR), movement sensors, and standing on static platforms.
All information collected during the study will be kept confidential and secure. Participation is voluntary, and the session will be scheduled according to your availability.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please reach out to Aliza Maqsood via email at: alizamaq@yorku.ca.
This project has research ethics approval from the University. Taylor Cleworth and Brad Meisner are full-time faculty in the Department of Kinesiology & Health Science; Professor Meisner is the new Director of YU-CARE, the Centre for Aging Research & Education, as of July 1st.
The Workers鈥 History of 91亚色 oral history project.
This project seeks to expand the documented history of 91亚色 by interviewing former employees about their lives and experiences as important 91亚色 community members and unionized workers whose labour helped to form the University. By sharing your memories, your experiences will be recorded as part of the historical record, which can help to shape historical knowledge.
The project is led by 91亚色 Associate Archivist Jennifer Grant. To participate, you are invited to take part in a semi-structured oral history interview of approximately 2 hours. During the interview, you will be asked about your early life, your memories relating to your work at 91亚色, and your involvement with your union at 91亚色. Your total time commitment to participate will be approximately 2 to 4 hours.
The decision of the interview time and place is up to you. The interview may also be completed over the phone or Zoom if this is most convenient for you. The interview will be audio-recorded and transcribed at a later date. This is done to ensure that none of the information provided in the interview will be missed.
The primary goal of the project is to preserve your story and provide you with the opportunity to deposit the audio recording and related transcript of your oral history interview with the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections, part of 91亚色 Libraries, to become part of the permanent historical record of 91亚色 and make your histories available for future research. This process would happen after you review the interview recording and transcript. You will decide how and when your interview is accessed by researchers in consultation with Archives staff before agreeing to deposit your interview with the Archives.
If you are interested in taking part, please fill out the form linked here or email Jennifer Grant directly at grantj@yorku.ca. For more information, please see the for this project.
Research Study on Aging
Adults over age 60 are being sought for a research study on how decision-making and memory change with age. The study, which has received University ethics approval, is being conducted in the Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuro-Intervention (CNN) Lab under Dr. Gary Turner, associate professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Health.
The study involves:
- a 1-hour in-person session at 91亚色 where participants will complete a computer-based decision-making task (like a game) and some brief cognitive assessments
- A 30-minute online follow-up task, completed from home the next day.
- For those who are eligible and interested, there is also an optional MRI scan, which helps us look at brain activity while participants perform similar tasks.
Participation is entirely voluntary and nominal compensation will be provided. Those who are interested in participating should contact research assistant, Sophia Bryan-Carbonell at sophiabc@my.yorku.ca
Shoulder Biomechanics Study
School of Kinesiology & Health Science
Participants 55 years of age and older with and without shoulder pain are being sought for this study that will evaluate upper limb movements and muscle recruitment in exercises which are commonly prescribed for those with shoulder pain. Participants must be physically capable to perform light exercises (i.e., body weight bearing, yoga postures, etc.). The trend between lower limb function in those with and without upper limb pain will also be examined. Participation in this study will involve one testing session approximately 2-3 hours in the research lab at the Sherman Health Science Research Centre on the Keele campus. Those with shoulder, hip and/or knee replacements, arthritis in any of these joints or active cancer treatment would be ineligible to participate.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact the project leader, doctoral candidate Stephen Boulanger at sbou11@yorku.ca. This study has received ethics approval from 91亚色. Supervising faculty are Dr. Jaclyn Hurley and Dr. Janessa Drake, School of Kinesiology and Health Science.
Partners鈥 Actions Towards Health (PATH)
Stress and Interpersonal Relationships Health Lab
Concordia University
Older adult couples (over age 50) interested in making positive lifestyle changes to improve their health are being recruited for this study that examines how couples influence one another鈥檚 health behaviours and overall well-being.
The study extends over a timespan of 24 months during which you and your partner will be asked to complete a 60-minutes online questionnaire, 3 times over the 24 months; a 30-minute online discussion task with your partner;鈥 an 8-minute nightly diary on your鈥痩ifestyle habits and couples interaction during the day for 2 weeks; and one or two additional nominal tasks.
The study is being conducted online.鈥疊oth partners have to participate. Total participation time is about 6 hours over the course of 24 months.
Participation in this study includes a free personalized nutrition report and compensation of up to $150. This study has received ethics approval from Concordia University.
For more information about the study and/or to sign up, please visit:
Exploring Retirees' Perceptions of the Age-Friendly University Initiative
YURA members are invited to take part in a research study titled 鈥淓xploring Retirees鈥 Perceptions of the Age-Friendly University Initiative鈥, being conducted by Brad Meisner, Deanna Vervaecke, and Aliza Maqsood at 91亚色. This study has received ethics approval from 91亚色鈥檚 Office of Research Ethics (Certificate: e2023-358).
Interviews are being conducted (via Zoom or telephone) to explore retirees鈥 experiences, opinions, and insights related to the Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative. You do not need to be familiar with the AFU initiative beforehand, it will be defined and explained during the interview. The Zoom or telephone interview will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes. It will follow a set of semi-structured questions and, with your consent, will be audio-recorded. All recordings and responses will be anonymized, and your privacy and confidentiality will be strictly maintained.
If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the study, please contact research assistant Aliza Maqsood, e-mail alizamaq@yorku.ca or Brad Meisner, associate professor of kinesiology and health science, e-mail meisnerb@yorku.ca