Solitude, Gerotranscendence, and Healthy Aging
Connecting Psychological Research through Ontologies
John Beverley
Julie Bowker
Hollen Reischer
This interdisciplinary panel explores how solitude and gerotranscendence—two constructs often studied in isolation—can be integrated to better understand pathways to healthy aging. Drawing from developmental psychology, clinical research, and applied ontology, the panelists will discuss how older adults experience being alone, how these experiences may foster meaning and growth, and how semantic technologies can help unify fragmented research. Presenters will share insights from the PHASES project, which leverages ontologies and AI-powered tools to connect disparate literatures, support data discovery, and promote novel interventions. Attendees will gain new perspectives on how solitude, far from being merely a risk factor, may serve as a resource for flourishing in later life.
About John Beverley, Julie Bowker and Hollen Reischer
John Beverley, MA '17, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at UB and the lead developer of the ISO/IEC 21838-2 top-level standard Basic Formal Ontology. With a background in applied ontology and machine learning integration, Beverley previously served as a Senior Ontologist at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. He leads the PHASES ontology development, bringing extensive expertise in semantic infrastructure for knowledge integration. Beverley earned his doctorate in Philosophy from Northwestern University.
Julie Bowker is a Professor of Psychology at the Â鶹´«Ã½o and an internationally recognized expert in social withdrawal and solitude across the lifespan. She has led several international studies, developed widely used assessments of solitude motivation, and co-edited two handbooks on the psychological study of solitude. As a co-investigator on PHASES, she guides the psychological framework and measurement strategy for solitude. Bowker earned her doctorate at the University of Maryland.
Hollen Reischer is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Â鶹´«Ã½o and a clinical psychologist specializing in mixed-methods research on gerotranscendence and meaning-making in mid-to-late adulthood. Her research explores life narratives, social connectedness, and interventions for promoting well-being in older adults. Within PHASES, she serves as a lead subject-matter expert on gerotranscendence and healthy aging. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology.