Tam Perry

Tam Perry is a Professor at the School of Social Work at Wayne State University, specializing in gerontological social work, housing transitions in aging populations, and community-engaged research. Her interdisciplinary work combines social work and anthropology to address urban aging challenges, policy advocacy, and environmental justice.

• Ph.D. in Social Work and Anthropology, University of Michigan
• M.A. in Anthropology, University of Michigan
• M.S.S.W., University of Texas
• B.A., Vanderbilt University

Research interests include the interplay between built environments and aging, social networks in housing transitions, and qualitative methods. Her work focuses on Detroit and Flint communities, examining issues like:

• Health-housing linkages
• Involuntary urban relocation
• Public health impacts of environmental crises
• Culturally tailored interventions for minority aging populations

Scientific funding includes support from the National Institute on Aging, the John A. Hartford Foundation, and DHHS (Flint water crisis research). Current projects explore:

• Urban housing transitions
• Homelessness triggered by caregiver death
• Climate change impacts on older adults
• Community advisory boards for Black elders

Community partnerships with Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO), United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC), and the Flint Area Community Health and Environment Partnership (FACHEP) inform her translational research. Teaching includes courses on gerontology, aging theories, and macro social work.