Troy D. Glover

Research interests

My research explores one deceptively simple question: How do people become socially connected?

Though loneliness and social isolation have become defining challenges of contemporary society, surprisingly little is known about the everyday processes through which strangers become acquaintances, acquaintances become friends, and communities develop strong social ties. My research seeks to better understand these interactional foundations of social connection and identify how they can be intentionally supported through public policy, community planning, recreation, leisure, and organizational practice.

Much of my work examines the role ofsocial infrastructure—the parks, public spaces, community organizations, workplaces, neighbourhoods, and everyday settings that create opportunities for people to encounter one another, interact, and build relationships over time. Rather than viewing these places simply as physical amenities, I investigate how they shape belonging, trust, social capital, wellbeing, and healthy communities.

My research is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from recreation and leisure studies, planning, urban studies, public health, sociology, and human geography. Current projects examine topics such as placemaking, social infrastructure, neighbouring, public space, workplace social fitness, hybrid work, community engagement, and the design of environments that foster meaningful human connection.

I welcome graduate students interested in questions related to social connection, social infrastructure, placemaking, public space, healthy communities, recreation and leisure, community wellbeing, and qualitative inquiry. Students in my research group join the Healthy Communities Research Network as members who work to strengthen connection, belonging, and quality of life.

Graduate supervision and student opportunities

I am currently accepting applications from graduate students with research interests related to:

• Placemaking
• Public space
• Social capital
• Community
• Urban studies
• Social connection

Graduate studies application details

Teaching interests

• Urban recreation
• Program management and evaluation
• Social connection

Check out Troy's teaching story on building community in (and out) of class

Courses

• REC 120: Experience Design and Delivery

• REC 422: Urban Recreation

• REC 272: The Power of Social Connection in a Lonely World

Education

BRLS, Brock University

MA, University of Alberta

PhD, University of Waterloo

Selected publications

See Google Scholar for full list of publications.