I’m Jihye Baek, a PhD Candidate in Social Work at the Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis.

My research explores social isolation and loneliness in later life through a socio-ecological lens. I believe these are not simply personal struggles but pressing societal issues that demand attention at multiple levels, especially at housing and neighborhood contexts.

Drawing from my professional experiences in community-engaged research projects and social work practice, I approach social connection in later life with a commitment to bridging research and the lived realities of older adults. In my dissertation, I study how housing and neighborhood environments influence older adults’ experiences of social connection, aiming to generate insights that support more inclusive and connected aging communities.

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