Following the completion of her PhD at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, we are thrilled to learn our Ambassador Blessing Ugochi Echeme-Ojembe, is now Dr. Blessing Ugochi Echeme-Ojembe.
As one of our QCS bursary recipients to our inaugural Commonwealth Elders Forum in 2018, Blessing’s interest focuses on addressing the taken-for-granted assumptions and marginalisation that older adults across their life course through research, especially minority and racialised older adults.
Originally from Nigeria, Blessing holds a BSc in Social work from the University of Nigeria, and an MSc Gerontology from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Blessing’s research work focuses on understanding how loneliness affects the social functioning of Black older adults who are living in Canada and the experience of social exclusion among this population.
Through her PhD research, Blessing hopes that culturally specific programs and interventions that will address loneliness, social isolation and integration among racialised older Canadians will be developed.
Blessing has eight ageing related research publications in a peer-reviewed journals, including the most recent which was published in November 2021. These publications can be accessed on Google Scholar or ResearchGate.
Keen to engage younger generations, Blessing is currently a pioneer member of the Emerging Researchers and Professionals on Aging – African Network (ERPAAN). This organisation mentors young African students to develop interest in ageing research through awarding them scholarships to conduct their chosen research.
Blessing believes that the future of gerontology lies in getting the younger generation to be involved in the study of aging, globally, and she hopes to be an aging mentor/teacher to the younger generation.
By bringing knowledge and experience together across the Commonwealth we can support sector leaders in developing countries, and contribute to making positive changes to people’s lives.
Join us in making changes to older people’s lives across the Commonwealth.
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