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Emeritus Professor of Geography Stephen Golant, a leading figure in the field of gerontology—the scientific study of old age, the process of aging, and the particular problems of older people—has dedicated his career to addressing the housing and care challenges faced by an aging population. His unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the elderly was celebrated in July with the prestigious M. Powell Lawton Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

This award was established to honor the memory of Lawton, the late director emeritus of the Polisher Research Institute and a pioneer environmental gerontologist. It is presented to only one gerontologist each year, recognizing those who have made significant strides in gerontological research and practice. Along with the recognition comes a cash prize and a spot as a guest lecturer at the GSA’s annual scientific meeting, which is scheduled to take place in November.

For Golant, who has been teaching, conducting research, and mentoring students at the University of Florida for more than 40 years now, this award is the culmination of a prolific career. He has established himself as one of the field’s top communicators, writing or editing more than 140 articles and books throughout the years and serving on the editorial boards of numerous gerontological journals. He is a staunch advocate for the rights and safety of older individuals, often being called on as an expert for corporations and universities. He earlier served as an advisor to the U. S. Seniors Housing and Health Facility Commission, a bipartisan 14-member Congressional panel that helped shape policies targeting older citizens.

“(The award) acknowledges my career-long efforts to offer solutions to make older people’s places of residence more enjoyable, stimulating, and compatible with their preferred lifestyles and mobility limitations, thus enabling them to feel more competent and in control of their lives and environments,” said Golant.

His extensive research and writing over his academic career, which focused on the quality of older people’s housing and long-term care environments, earned him the nomination for this award. Golant has found that older people live in places that do not offer equal opportunities for fulfillment, achievement, and dignity. He identifies changes in housing conditions to suit their specific needs better. With this research, he hopes to help older adults feel safer and happier in their own homes rather than being moved into long-term care facilities.

In addition to having extra funds for his research, earning the award has energized Golant, who plans to continue working for the health and well-being of older people. “Knowing that your work is appreciated makes pursuing future research and writing projects even more rewarding,” he said.