Life After Work: Narratives of Retirement Among Low-Income Canadians
Faculty Member's Name: Daniel W Richards
Faculty Member's Email Address: danwrich@yorku.ca
Department/School: School of Administrative Studies
Project Title: Life After Work: Narratives of Retirement Among Low-Income Canadians
Description of Research Project
Retirement is often portrayed as a time of leisure and security, but for low-income Canadians, the reality can be far more complex. While quantitative research captures savings rates and benefit eligibility, it cannot fully explain how individuals experience retirement emotionally and socially. This project will use storytelling as a qualitative method to explore the lived experiences of retirees from low-income households.
The student will conduct semi-structured interviews with retirees in the Greater Toronto Area, inviting them to share their retirement journey in their own words. Questions will focus on:
• How did you prepare for retirement?
• What surprised you most after retiring?
• What challenges and successes have you experienced?
• What advice would you give to others in similar circumstances?
The goal is to identify common themes and emotional frames in these narratives, providing insights into the realities of retirement beyond financial metrics. Findings will complement the SSHRC-funded project on retirement planning for low-income households.
Undergraduate Student Responsibilities
• Review literature on narrative approaches and retirement experiences.
• Conduct 5 semi-structured interviews with retirees (protocol provided). If a student wants to publish this work in a journal more interviews will be required.
• Transcribe and analyze interviews using thematic narrative analysis.
• Identify recurring themes and narrative patterns.
• Prepare a short report and a creative poster or infographic showcasing key stories and insights.
Qualifications Required
• Interest in qualitative research and social issues.
• Strong communication skills and empathy for participants.
• Ability to organize and analyze interview data (training provided, experience with conducting interviews will be preferred).
• Familiarity with NVivo or willingness to learn is an asset.
• Completion of ADMS 2541 or ADMS 3541 or ADMS 4505 preferred.
Interested in this project posting?
Submit your resumé and unique cover letter for this projects to the faculty supervisor. Deadline: February 6, 2026 by 4 p.m.