Josephine Heap

I hold a degree in Sociology and obtained a PhD in Social Work at Stockholm University in 2016. I currently work as a research coordinator and am involved in the Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old - SWEOLD,  where I take part in managing the fieldwork, data documentation and outreach activities. Moreover, I am involved in teaching, research, and write reports commissioned by public authorities.

My research has mainly been focused on the co-existence of financial, social, and health disadvantages in old age and over the latter part of the lifecourse. The commissioned work has lately been centred around mental health in the older population. I have previously been part of the European Social Policy Network - contracted by the European Commission - between 2016-2024. This resulted in reports on various topics, including long-term care for older people, and the access to social protection for different groups in the population.  

I have been running the course "Working life, ageing and health" within the Bachelor's programme in Education and Public Health Sciences at Stockholm University since 2022. Moreover, I am involved in managing the course "Life-course perspectives on ageing and health" within the Master's programme in Public Health Sciences: Societal and individual perspectives, also at Stockholm University.