Noah J. Webster

Noah J. Webster, Ph.D. is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Life Course Development Program at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.

Dr. Webster’s research focuses on the interrelated themes of: 1) the bidirectional influences of health, health-related behaviors and social relationships; and 2) the role of environmental and social contexts in shaping health disparities across the life course.

He has a Ph.D. in Sociology from Case Western Reserve University with specializations in Medical Sociology and Research Methods. Dr. Webster is co-investigator on a number of ongoing sponsored research projects including, the longitudinal study of Social Relations, Aging and Health funded by the National Institute on Aging; a study of Humility and Forgiveness: The Role of Social Relations among Three Ethnic Groups funded by the Templeton Foundation; and a multidisciplinary study to assess the impact of green infrastructure in Detroit funded by the University of Michigan Water Center through a grant from the Erb Family Foundation.

He was co-investigator, collaborating with Drs. Antonucci and Kahn on a recently completed McArthur Foundation funded experimental field study to examine the impact of a multifaceted intervention in affordable senior housing communities. Dr. Webster also is Assistant Director of the Society 2030 Consortium, a program that brings together university and industry representatives to identify the key social and economic trends that will shape the future, and to develop a “roadmap” to guide planning and policy, as well as further research.