I earned a Masters of Urban Planning (2003) and Ph.D. (2009) as a National Institute of Aging (NIA) predoctoral fellow from the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. My research interests focus on aging inequalities and sociology of place. For example, my dissertation explored the ways older adults who occupy several oppressed social locations across the lifespan move to and create new homes in age-segregated places like HUD 202s (public housing for older adults). I also have a strong interest in new and unique methodologies and my dissertation was awarded an innovative research award from The Midwest Sociological Society for the use of photography, interview, and observation in my data collection process.  Some of my earlier work can be found in the Journal of Applied Sociology and with Heather Dillaway in Health Care for Women International and The Journal of Applied Gerontology.

My first research project at WCU is to frame a place-based approach to understand aging issues in Western North Carolina.  Through a collaboration with the Jackson Co. Senior Center I will engage in ethnography, photography and interview to understand the unique lives and social conditions of older adults in the region.

Previous to pursuing educational goals, I worked as an artist in both Detroit and Chicago.   I always look for avenues to foster creativity in both the classroom and my own research interests.  If you have questions about my teaching, research, or creative interests, you can email me at mbyrnes@wcu.edu.