Jean Paul Ramírez Echavarría

Jean Paul Ramírez Echavarría is a research assistant with the Hey Neighbour Collective, where he contributes to the Building Resilient Neighbourhoods project. In this role, he conducts qualitative coding, analysis, and synthesis of data to support initiatives that help older adults build community resilience, strengthen social connections, and promote collaborative action. Jean Paul is also collaborating on a research paper with the Collective that explores building connections in multi-unit housing and the social interactions that enable aging in place.

With a background in Psychology from the University of Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia, Jean Paul’s research has focused on the relationship between communities and the places they inhabit, particularly in terms of identity. He has worked with various communities around Medellín, exploring how the built environment reflects and shapes their sense of self. Jean Paul has coordinated research groups in Environmental and Social Psychology and worked at the Hospital Álma Mater de Antioquia with older adults managing cardiovascular and chronic diseases.

Currently, Jean Paul is pursuing a Master’s in Gerontology at Simon Fraser University and working under the supervision of Dr. Atiya Mahmood in the Aging in the Right Place (AIRP) project. His research examines how the built environment supports the identity of older adults and fosters aging in place. He is committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and supporting the unique identities and selfhood of older individuals.

A firm believer in the power of art to help us understand and express our identity, Jean Paul dedicates his free time to writing stories, particularly poetry that captures the vibrant atmospheres and diverse people of cities. He is also passionate about dancing, seeing it as a powerful bridge to connect with others—especially when it comes to Latin American and Caribbean rhythms.