Britteny Howell

Britteny Howell is an Associate Professor in the Division of Population Health Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She holds a PhD in Anthropology and Gerontology from the University of Kentucky and a Master's from the University of Cincinnati. Her research focuses on healthy aging through community-engaged projects, emphasizing barriers/facilitators to healthy aging among older adults (65+), particularly in the Circumpolar North. She leads the UAA Healthy Aging Research Lab, involving undergraduate/graduate students in intervention studies. Dr. Howell teaches service-learning courses and interprofessional health programs, advocating for student-facilitated health initiatives.

Her academic service includes serving as Associate Editor for the Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology and coordinating the BSHS Assessment and the Occupational Endorsement Certificate in Gerontology. She also leads the Alaska Dementia Action Collaborative. Research interests span anthropology of aging, intergenerational programs, and culturally responsive health interventions. Her work integrates participatory research methods like photovoice and concept mapping.

Dr. Howell's teaching and research emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, with a focus on improving health outcomes through student engagement and community partnerships. She has pioneered hope-based interventions and studies the role of traditional practices in Alaska Native communities' aging processes.