Tell us about yourself in a paragraph or two: What is your name, and what are you studying? Where are you from? What was your dream job as a kid? What's your favourite thing to do outside of school/work?

My name is Eireann O’Dea and I am a PhD candidate in the Gerontology department at Simon Fraser University. My dissertation research focuses on the social contexts surrounding older adults who volunteer in Canada, with a particular interest in the influences of ethnocultural identity and the COVID-19 pandemic. I also currently work as a sessional instructor for undergraduate courses in Gerontology, and as the site supervisor for the CLSA at SFU Harbour Centre.
Outside of work and school, my favourite thing to do is go for a walk. I love exploring different neighbourhoods, taking pictures, and listening to music or podcasts along the way. I also love to run, bake and cook, and practice my guitar.

What interested you about the CLSA?

When I was a Master’s student, the CLSA first interested me as a way to gain further understanding of the experiences of older adults in Canada. I was able to gain firsthand experience with the data by working as a telephone interviewer. When I began my dissertation research, I knew that working with CLSA data would allow me to enhance my qualitative analysis skills and would also help me gain an insight on volunteerism in Canada on a different scale.

What type of research are you doing with CLSA data? Have you published? If so, what are the findings (in lay terms)?

I have conducted a secondary data analysis that compares volunteering among participants prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is currently in the process of being submitted for publication. Beyond participation in volunteering declining among older adults during the early stages of the pandemic, we also found that various associations between volunteering and covariates and human, social, and cultural capital variables (including employment status, gender, age, social cohesion, and religious participation), changed.

What is the most interesting or surprising thing you've learned from your work with the CLSA? How do you think the CLSA will help you grow as a student or in your future?

Working at both the data collection site and as a researcher, I am always pleasantly surprised by the commitment of CLSA participants. Despite the time commitment it takes to schedule and conduct the interview, participants consistently return year after year, helping to make the study a success. This allows our work to continue and flourish.

How do you think the findings using CLSA data will be useful to you, or others, in the future?

I think CLSA findings are an amazing opportunity for Canadians to gain understanding of the realities of the aging experience. With regards to my own research, these findings will be helpful to achieve my long-term goal of improving age-friendliness in our communities and society at large. For others studying or learning about aging in Canada, the CLSA is a very valuable resource for understanding health and aging over time from a Canadian perspective. This could help inform the development of relevant policies and programs in the future as the older adult population continues to grow.

Do you have any idea about what kind of job you'd like to do when you finish school?

After I have completed my PhD, I would like to pursue a postdoctoral position at a University in British Columbia, so that I can explore different types of research and solidify my interests more explicitly. I would also like to continue teaching gerontology to others.

What is a non-career related thing that you are grateful for because of your work with the CLSA?

In training others to work as telephone interviewers, working with the CLSA has given me the opportunity to develop skills in mentorship and leadership. It has also connected me to some great people working in aging research. For example, during the recent Canadian Association on Gerontology Conference, I had the opportunity to participate in a CLSA research symposium, where I met other PhD students working with CLSA data.