Climate Change and Aging Populations: The Growing Threat of Extreme Heat
Event Date: 22 April 2026
Speakers: Dwight Tse, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, and Megan Crawford, Reader in Psychology, in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health in the University of Strathclyde.
Time: 12.30-1.30pm
Location: Level 8, StrathUnion, University of Strathclyde. This is a hybrid event - for online attendees, a link will be sent with details on how to join the event remotely if you sign up on Eventbrite. To sign up please do so via the Eventbrite page here.
Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities (SISC) is excited to host a thought-provoking session featuring Dwight Tse, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, and Megan Crawford, Reader in Psychology, in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health in the University of Strathclyde. This event is the latest in the SISC seminar series, which brings together researchers, practitioners and community leaders to explore bold ideas for building more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.
The talk will be in two parts:
Dr Dwight Tse- Preparing for Hotter Days: Understanding Heat Risks and Building Resilience in Late Adulthood
Extreme heat and sudden temperature spikes are becoming more frequent, and they can adversely affect older adults' health, comfort, and daily lives. This talk will look at why heat poses particular challenges as we age, share early insights from our ongoing research on heat, health, and wellbeing, and highlight practical steps we can take to stay safe during hotter weather. We’ll discuss everyday habits, home adjustments, and community support that can strengthen resilience during heat events. The aim is to offer clear, science‑informed guidance to help all of us feel better equipped for the increasingly warm seasons ahead.
Dr Megan Crawford- Heat, Sleep and Mental Health: Can we measure the impact of climate change in the bedroom?
As climate change raises indoor temperatures, its impact on sleep and mental health remains understudied, especially for older individuals living in controlled environments like care homes. In this talk we will share insights from a pilot study in University of Strathclyde student accommodation using sleep, temperature and air quality devices to capture the impact of increased heat on sleep and mental health. We will discuss what worked, what didn’t, and why this feasibility pilot offers a promising route to understanding how climate‑driven indoor heat may be influencing sleep and mental health. Importantly we will reflect on how we will apply this methodology in community settings to better support more vulnerable individuals.
Published: 9 April 2026
