Our heartfelt congratulations go to Professor Alan Walker: recipient of the first IAGG-ER ‘Award for Advances in Gerontology and Geriatrics’ in social and behavioural sciences.

Nominated by the BSG, Professor Alan Walker’s work in gerontology was recognised at the opening ceremony of the recent European Congress in Bologna, with the award of a new medal and official diploma. Alan is one of the World’s foremost gerontologists; has played a leading role in the European coordination of research on ageing for 20 years; is the author of more than 30 books, 200 monographs and 300 scientific papers; and has had his work translated into more than 20 languages. He is Professor of Social Gerontology and Social Policy at Sheffield University, where he has been since 1977, and currently directs the multi-research council ‘New Dynamics of Ageing’ (NDA) Programme (2005-2012) (http://www.newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/). In 2007, he was given lifetime achievement awards by both the British Society of Gerontology and the Social Policy Association.