Ilyan Ferrer recognized in Avenue Magazine's 40 under 40

Congratulations to professor Dr. Ilyan Ferrer, PhD, who was named to Avenue Magazine — Calgary Top 40 Under 40 list.

The accompanying article featured a nice summary of Ferrer's research that lies at the intersections of aging, immigration, labour and care. Ferrer co-developed the concept of “anti-oppression gerontology.”

When he heard about the award Ferrer says he felt humbled, and as a relatively new Calgarian he wasn't aware of the list

"I'm really appreciative of that," he says. "From my understanding it's one of those things that people are really proud of. I personally didn't know. For me, it's really a humbling experience I would say. It really shows how Calgary has embraced me and my family. I'm just very, very humbled because when I came to Calgary, I always thought myself as a Montreal boy, that I would never leave. And so when Jill, Hanan and I came to Calgary, we came with an open mind and perspective of really building our lives here. To have that reciprocated through this selection process is a validation that we picked the right city and, and built the right community here."

"When Jill, Hannah and I came to Calgary, we came with an open mind and perspective of really building our lives here. To have that reciprocated through this selection process is a validation that we picked the right city and, and built the right community here."

Ferrer highlighted some of his research last year as part of the Faculty of Social Work's "Positive Disruption" series. He presented a Photovoice research event that focused on what "financial literacy" means to immigrant, older adults living in Calgary. 

The article also points out that Ferrer has been the lead researcher on five research grants and co-lead researcher on seven grants totalling more than $2.8 million.