Katherine E King
- Postdoctoral Associate
- Sociology
- 271 Soc/Psych
- Campus Box 90088
- Phone: (919) 660-5777
- Fax: (919) 660-5623
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Research Summary
Human-environment interaction; quality of life; aging; -
Research Description
My long-term professional goal is to conduct academic research investigating the implications of the geography of social stratification, including contributions of environmental health exposures to multidimensional quality of life, especially for vulnerable populations such as late life adults. Specifically, I am interested in (1) how individuals sort into residential locations, (2) how physical and social risks and resources develop in these locations, (3) how these physical and social attributes of locales influence physical and psychosocial well-being, and (4) methods. This work is partly motivated by my concern that in a time of increasing income inequality and environmental concerns, our efforts to mobilize resources in pursuit of well-being through material consumption often have unintended negative consequences for societal and ecological well-being. For example, our transportation and sprawling land use patterns – intended to facilitate the “good life” in terms of privacy, calm, community, and a place to play - have been linked to obesity, social isolation, and environmental problems. My research goal is to contribute to understanding of human-environment interaction, with the hope that I can help to inform policy and personal decisions to enhance overall quality of life, especially in terms of physical and mental health and social integration. I am currently focusing on quality of life effects of the urban built environment in the U.S.
