Student Profile: Farinaz Rikhtehgaran

Farinaz Rikhtehgaran is working on her Master’s degree in Gerontology with a focus on age-friendly cities, walkable neighbourhoods for older immigrants, public space accessibility for older people and people living with different kinds of disabilities, community-engaged research, and urban co-design.

Prior to coming to Simon Fraser University, Farinaz completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and a Master’s degree in Urban Design in Iran. During her graduate studies in Urban Design, her research was centred around participatory urban design which is where she initially noticed that there was a tendency for older adults to be overlooked. Having a background in Urban Design and a genuine interest in improving the health of individuals led Farinaz to pursue a Master’s degree in Gerontology.

When comparing graduate programs in gerontology, Farinaz found articles on Dr. Atiya Mahmood’s research on walkable neighbourhoods and the built environment. As this was an area that Farinaz was interested in, it seemed like a great fit for her.

What sets this graduate studies experience apart from when Farinaz was completing her Master’s degree in Urban Design is the hands-on approach that faculty members in the department of Gerontology take at SFU. Furthermore, the mentorship and guidance that Farinaz receives from Dr. Mahmood are invaluable to her growth as a researcher.

“Professors help to gradually build research skills which I can apply to my own research goals”

As an international student, the first semester was a difficult transition period for Farinaz as she became accustomed to the culture. However, being a research assistant for Dr. Mahmood’s projects titled, "Towards Barrier-Free Communities: A Partnership for Improving Mobility, Access and Participation (MAP) Among People with Disabilities" and "Providing Accessible ReCreation Outdoors: User-driven Research on Standards (PARCOURS)," helped her navigate the relationship between the community and academia.

Currently, Farinaz is conducting a literature review on the barriers and facilitators of walking for older immigrants to help develop more walkable neighbourhoods. She is also proposing a pilot study comparing Iranian and Canadian older adults’ experiences of walking as part of her capstone project. With Dr. Mahmood’s guidance, Farinaz was able to build connections with senior centres in North Vancouver where her target group is located.

When asked about her future plans after she completes the MA program, Farinaz said that she hopes to stay in Canada for a few years and work in a municipal or community organization, where she can engage with people in the community directly and apply her knowledge.

Farinaz’s advice to prospective students interested in Gerontology:

Get involved in the community, especially if you are an international student! Research positions are really great opportunities to learn more about what is happening in the field and how different municipal, government, and academic systems work.

Connect with Farinaz at: farinaz_rikhtehgaran@sfu.ca