Meet Professor Deborah O'Connor

Get ready to meet Professor Deborah O'Connor, a big name in the world of gerontological social work. Deborah is Canadian and known globally for her impressive work. A doctoral student, Karen Wong, had the chance to interview Deborah before she retired. The chat wasn’t just a friendly catch-up; it was a way to honor Deborah’s amazing contributions to research, practice, policy, and education in gerontological social work. Deborah's work does something really special: it looks at aging and dementia through a critical lens. She uses different ways of research and theories to question common beliefs about aging and dementia. Her work has had a real impact, helping to shape laws and practices, like the Adult Guardianship Act in Canada and British Columbia. Karen, who wants to follow in Deborah’s footsteps, asked Deborah about her journey, her work, and how others can use critical approaches to make a difference in gerontological social work.Deborah started her journey into gerontological social work because she saw how important it was to understand the experiences of older adults, especially those facing dementia. She used theories that help us see how society treats aging and dementia unfairly. Her research methods let her dig deep into people's stories and challenge the assumptions we often make about aging. She pushed for change in the way we think and act towards older adults, making sure their voices are heard and respected. Deborah has made a huge impact, influencing real-life policies and practices. Her work has helped in creating assessments for people with disabilities and laws that protect adults who need guardians. Her approach shows that research can make a real difference in people’s lives. Deborah believes that young researchers should be curious, ask tough questions, and not be afraid to challenge the status quo. She advises them to always include the voices of the people they study, and to use their research to make a real change in the world.