Tamara Baker

Tamara Baker

Spring 2019
Psychology

Tamara Baker, PhD, is a professor of clinical psychology as well as the director of the gerontology program at the University of Kansas. Baker has established original research that examines the pain management, health outcomes and behaviors, and domains of health disparities and social determinants of health among diverse race and marginalized populations. Younger populations often do not contemplate the aging process. How younger populations perceive aging is critical, as their perspectives may inform policy, public health initiatives, and research trajectories. Through her ARI fellowship, Baker will examine the cultural perceptions of aging through an interdisciplinary study that incorporates psychology and art. Baker’s project will ask young participants to investigate cultural understandings of aging by photographing their encounters with aging in their lives. The purpose of Baker’s study is to provide a visual representation of how younger generations perceive aging, the aging process, and healthy living and aging. Additionally, Baker wants to research how these issues may be further complicated for people from marginalized racial, ethnic, and economic groups.