About the Conference
The objective of the conference is to provide information that will enable our society to bounce back from the adversities that have been faced over recent years by taking advantage of what we have learned and applying this knowledge to enhance the lives of older people, especially those who have faced ageism, marginalization, and social isolation.
Continuing Education Credits
A Certificate of Attendance, indicating that the Friesen Conference is a 12-hour educational offering specific to the needs of older adults, will be available for Social Workers to put towards their continued professional development and for Registered Nurses wanting documentation to support their provincial/state continuing competency requirement. To obtain your certificate, e-mail gerocom@sfu.ca within 30 days of the end of the conference.
Organizing Committee
- Andrew Wister | Director, SFU-GRC & Distinguished Professor, Department of Gerontology (Conference Chair)
- Gloria Gutman | Research Associate, SFU-GRC & Professor Emeritus, SFU Department of Gerontology (Conference Co-Chair & Manager)
- Barbara Mitchell | Professor & Chair, SFU Department of Gerontology & Sociology and Anthropology
- Atiya Mahmood | Professor, SFU Department of Gerontology
- Theresa Pauly | Assistant Professor, SFU Department of Gerontology & Canada Research Chair in Social Relationships, Health, and Aging
- Mei Fang | Assistant Professor, SFU Urban Studies and Department of Gerontology
- Nancy Olewiler | Professor, Emeritus, SFU School of Public Policy
- Sarah Qiu | Communications Coordinator, Alumni Outreach & Community
Keynote Speaker
Gary Haq
Gary spent 15 years at the York Centre (1997–2012) on transport, air pollution, low-carbon futures, climate change, and ageing. From 2012–2020 he was at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra, supporting European transport and environmental policy. A human ecologist with over 20 years’ experience across Africa, Asia, and Europe, he provides evidence for policy, facilitates processes, builds capacity, and engages stakeholders. He has led major international programmes on air pollution, transport, and climate communication, and advised the UK’s DFID on low-carbon transport. Gary holds a PhD in Geography and has authored five books and numerous academic and policy publications.
Public Lecture
Sean Holman
Sean joined the faculty in 2021 from Mount Royal University, where he was an associate professor of journalism. Before entering academia, Sean was an investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker in British Columbia. As a journalist, he was best known as the founder and publisher of the pioneering online public affairs news service Public Eye, as well as the host and producer of the syndicated talk show Public Eye Radio. His bylines have appeared in the Columbia Journalism Review, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, the Vancouver Sun, and the Times-Colonist. Sean is a frequent commentator on climate change coverage and government secrecy. His research focuses on how we use and misuse information, particularly against the backdrop of catastrophic climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as democratic decline.
Pre, Post and Concurrent Conference Events
March 26-29, 2026
International Society for Gerontechnology 15ᵗʰ World Conference, SFU Harbour Centre Campus, Vancouver, BC. Theme "Empowering Aging with Gerontechnology” (https://isg2026.com/).
April 22-23, 2026
33rd John K. Friesen Conference, Segal Centre, SFU Harbour Centre Campus, Vancouver, BC. Theme "Climate Change in An Aging World" (https://www.sfu.ca/grc/events/friesen/2026.html).