Laura Payne

Laura Payne is a Professor and Director of the Office of Recreation and Park Resources in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois. She holds a PhD in Leisure Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on the intersection of leisure behavior, health promotion, and well-being, particularly among older adults with chronic conditions. Dr. Payne’s work examines how local parks and recreation agencies contribute to health behavior change and sustainable wellness programs.

Her research interests include healthy aging, chronic disease management, and the sociocultural dimensions of leisure. Notable projects include studies on the impact of wellness programs like Wits Wellness and N’Balance, which address self-efficacy and fall prevention. She has also explored cultural influences on leisure activities, such as casino gambling among Laotian immigrants and social dancing among Korean older adults.

Dr. Payne’s recent publications highlight themes like boredom in later life, stress management in chronic disease populations, and the role of social support in health outcomes. Her work frequently bridges leisure studies with public health policy, emphasizing practical applications for community agencies.

She has received the TALS Fellow award (2019) and has collaborated on initiatives like the Illinois Workplace Wellness Study. Her outreach efforts extend to developing evidence-based programs for parks and recreation departments to enhance community health.