Anniriikka Rantala

I am a doctoral researcher of gerontology at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Finland. My research interests are the linkages between living environment and social inclusion, as well as social participation, communities, and ageing in suburban neighbourhoods. In my doctoral thesis I examine the role of local community initiatives in supporting social inclusion and community participation for older people living in suburban neighbourhoods in Finland. 

I am a co-leader of the WG2 ‘Community and place’ in the Participatory Approaches with Older Adults (Paar-net) COST action, and an executive committee member in the Democracy Research Network (Tampere University).   

Qualitative research, interviews, participatory approaches, social inclusion, environmental gerontology

Social inclusion, preventive care, ageing, older adults, living environment, well-being, suburban neighbourhoods, social environment

Social Sciences, Social Policy, Gerontology