The following are institutions which focus on research into ageing, or offer postgraduate courses on ageing.  Please contact the institution directly for information about their research and courses.

If you are currently located within a centre or organisation which offers courses on ageing, or undertakes research into ageing, and wish to have your details included here, please contact the British Society of Gerontology at enquiries@britishgerontology.org

Brunel Collaborative Research Network on Ageing

Director, Professor Mary Gilhooly

01895 268756

mary.gilhooly@brunel.ac.uk

Brunel University
Kingston Lane
Uxbridge
Middlesex UB8 3PH

“In response to these [social, economic and demographic] challenges, Brunel has formed the Collaborative Research Network in Ageing. Its chief goal is to advance knowledge in the field of ageing and care of older people, with the aim of improving the quality of life and health of older people.

The Network will address two fundamental questions:

1. How can we ensure that people age healthily and free of disability?
2. For those who become ill and disabled, how can we ensure that interventions and care, transport, and housing are provided effectively, efficiently and in line with the perceived needs and wishes of older people themselves?

These questions raise issues from the cellular level through individual human ageing, to the wider spectrum of social and economic policy, and require a genuinely interdisciplinary response and insight, which the Network aims to provide.”

Oxford Institute of Ageing

66 Banbury Road

Oxford
OX2 6PR

Telephone: +44 (0) 1865 612800

Email: administrator@ageing.ox.ac.uk

Director, Professor Sarah Harper

The Oxford Institute of Ageing is part of the  21st Century School at the University of Oxford, founded by James Martin in 2005. The Oxford Institute of Ageing is unique among its major competitors in establishing an internationally recognised research group to address the challenges of demographic ageing in both the more developed and developing worlds. The positioning of the Globalization of Ageing Research Programme within the 21st Century School will now provide the opportunity to build on this existing research and expertise to establish three interlinked interdisciplinary research components: global ageing (to address the global macroeconomic and demographic imbalances which could arise); redefining institutions for ageing societies (extending our research into the requirements for new economic, social and political institutions); and longevity and radical life extension (addressing the impact on individuals as they realise the potential of life spans which may take them beyond the 9th or even 10th decade).

 DPhil or MPhil Opportunities in Ageing

Due to the multidisciplinarity of the OIA, DPhil students are admitted through a range of University Departments. It is thus important that potential applicants for graduate work in the first instance contact our Graduate Co-ordinator Dr. George Leeson to ask advice on their application to the OIA:  george.leeson@ageing.ox.ac.uk “

 

The Centre for Research on Ageing (CRA) at the University of Southampton

www.southampton.ac.uk/ageing

Centre for Research on Ageing
Faculty of Social and Human Sciences
University of Southampton
Southampton, SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 8940

E-mail: ageing@soton.ac.uk

The Centre for Research on Ageing is an international and multi-disciplinary research centre examining key issues in ageing and the lifecourse, informing policy and debate at the national and local level. Staff members in the CRA have expertise in the following research areas: ageing in developing and transnational societies; diversity in later life and ethnic minority ageing; gender and pension reform; health and social care; paid work and informal caring; retirement prospects of future generations of elders; and social networks and informal support.

We offer flexible pathways to study Gerontology at the postgraduate level. Students can choose from either full-time or part-time study, based at Southampton or by distance learning.

Choose from:
MPhil/PhD in Gerontology
Postgraduate Certificate/ MSc in Gerontology
MSc in Gerontology (Research) - ESRC accredited
Postgraduate Certificate/ Postgraduate Diploma/ MSc in Gerontology (Distance Learning)
Short courses in Gerontology (face-to-face or by Distance Learning)

The courses offer high quality training in Gerontology and research methods in a supportive environment. For example, all students are allocated a personal tutor, and students on the Distance Learning programme receive key textbooks and have access to software, which is included in the tuition fees. Both distance learning and the traditional face-to-face programmes have been approved by the University of Southampton, they have equivalent credits, and they are assessed by the same external examiner.

The MSc in Gerontology (Research) and the MSc in Gerontology (Distance Learning) offer excellent research methods training, which is particularly good value for students studying from a distance. Specialist modules in quantitative and qualitative research methods equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge in research methods, which is excellent preparation for the Masters dissertation and for students considering further studies or future research careers.

The University of Southampton has been awarded one of the ESRC’s Doctoral Training Centres, providing 18 ESRC scholarships to fund postgraduate training and research at the doctoral level every year for the next five years. The Doctoral Training Centre website has more information: http://www.soton.ac.uk/postgraduate/feesandfunding/esrcdtc.html The University of Southampton is part of the prestigious Russell Group of Universities, and is one of the UK’s top research universities. Research in Gerontology, along with Demography, Sociology and Social Policy, ranked third in the UK in the Social Policy and Administration unit of assessment in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing (ARCHA)

Aston University, Birmingham

WEBSITE

Contact: Wendy Overton or Dr Roslyn Bill on 0121 204 4134.

 “We take a multidisciplinary approach to successful ageing by asking how technological, therapeutic and psychosocial strategies can be employed to understand and arrest age-related decline.”

The Institute of Gerontology, King’s College, London

WEBSITE

King's College London
Strand
London
WC2R 2LS

King’s College London is one of the top 25 universities in the world and the fourth oldest in England, with an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. The Institute of Gerontology (IoG) at King’s is one of the leading teaching and research centres on ageing and old age in Europe. Set up in 1986, IoG is an established multi-disciplinary social science institute dedicated to advancing understanding of the characteristics, key influences and effects of ageing throughout the life course. The Institute brings together experts from a wide range of disciplines, drawing on King’s existing strengths in medicine, psychiatry, public policy and the humanities and law to provide a multi-disciplinary resource dedicated to the development and understanding of gerontology. Our research and teaching programmes have a strong emphasis on multi-disciplinary and multi-method research.

We offer Postgraduate Masters Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates in a range of ageing related studies and research methods for health and social science, and have a thriving cohort of PhD students. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds including medicine and allied health professions, national and local government, NGOs, the voluntary sector, policy, social science, international relations and the humanities. Graduates pursue a range of careers. Many work in strategic positions influencing the lives of older people. These include consultant and specialist positions in geriatric medicine and psychiatry, analytical and policy positions in government, NGOs and the voluntary sector, and academic research and teaching in universities around the world. The Institute seeks to equip its graduates with the skills to make a practicable difference in the lives of older people.

Centre for Research on Ageing and Gender (CRAG)

WEBSITE

Deptment of Sociology
University of Surrey
Guildford
GU2 7XH

Tel: +44 (0)1483 689292

Email: Sue Venn (s.venn@surrey.ac.uk)

“The Centre for Research on Ageing and Gender (CRAG) is an established research centre within the Sociology Department at the University of Surrey, which builds on the research reputation of members of the Department in this area.

CRAG focuses specifically on the interconnections between gender and ageing. Ageing is an area of increasing policy concern, stimulated by recognition of the growth in the older population, the projected costs of pensions and health care, earlier ages of retirement from paid work, changing patterns of consumer behaviour in later life and the opportunities afforded by increased leisure.”

Centre for Innovative Ageing

WEBSITE

Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
Wales UK
Tel. +44 (0) 1792 205678

“The Centre for Innovative Ageing (CIA) provides a centre of excellence for research and training in the study of ageing."

The Centre is the only one of its kind in Wales, identifying gaps in ageing research and generating new interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of ageing. The research emanating from the Centre is highly acclaimed and the standing and reputation of the Centre is well recognised in UK gerontology. Members of the centre work collaboratively with other centres in the UK, Europe, Canada, the USA, Australasia and South Asia and are frequently sought after as collaborators, consultants or advisors for international projects.”

Centre for Social Gerontology

University of Keele

WEBSITE

Director
Professor Miriam Bernard
Centre for Social Gerontology
Keele University
Keele
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG

Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734067
Email: m.bernard@appsoc.keele.ac.uk

“Since 1987 the Centre for Social Gerontology at Keele University has been at the forefront of research, teaching and policy development in the field of ageing.

The Centre's work on the social analysis of ageing reflects the importance of diversity through all phases of the life course. Adopting interdisciplinary perspectives, our research focuses on areas such as family and kinship, women and ageing, social inclusion and exclusion, inter-generational relationships, and the social policy of later life.”

Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies (CABS)

Open University

WEBSITE

“Research on Ageing and related topics is grouped under the Centre for Ageing and Biographical Studies (CABS) which has been established since 1995 as a centre for gerontology and biographical research.

Since then CABS members have undertaken a wide range of research using methodologies from discourse analysis to large-scale national surveys.

The core aims of CABS include:

• a commitment to ethical research
• a mission to develop appropriate methodologies
• a search to develop links between theory, research, policy and practice

CABS research aims to be centred in the experience and aspirations of older people. This includes involving older people in various ways as research partners and advisors.”

Bradford Dementia Group

Professor Murna Downs

m.downs@bradford.ac.uk

School of Health Studies,
University of Bradford,
25 Trinity Road,
Bradford, BD5 0BB, UK.
Tel: +44 01274 236367

“Established in 1992, we are a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional group committed to making a difference to policy and practice in dementia care, through excellence in research, education and training.
Our mission is to work with practitioners and professionals to improve the quality of life and care for people with dementia and their families. We welcome the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) (Department of Health, 2009) and look forward to working with you in its implementation. A key aim of the National Dementia Strategy is to ensure an informed and effective workforce for people with dementia and their families.
Course Options

MSc in Dementia Studies
MSc in Dementia Studies (Dementia Care Mapping) as a specialised pathway
MSc in Dementia Studies (Trainer in Dementia Care)
BSc in Dementia Studies
Alzheimer's Society certificated Foundation Course in Person-centred Dementia Care
Individual Modules

Dementia Services Development Centre, Stirling

Applied Social Science
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
+44 (0) 1786 467740

Director:Professor June Andrews
UK+44 (0) 1786 467740

june.andrews@stir.ac.uk

“Welcome to the Dementia Services Development Centre. Our staff of academics, health and social care professionals, researchers and event organisers provide comprehensive dementia education and training, consultancy and research services. The Centre’s flagship Iris Murdoch Building is a model for dementia friendly design. This open and welcoming environment provides inspiration for our team’s work in designing and remodelling care homes for people with dementia. Research into understanding the needs of people and how to support them is central to our work. The Research Group are members of the University of Stirling who conduct research our understanding of dementia and related matters. Their research projects help to improve the quality of life and services for people with dementia and their carers.

Applied Social Science is at the forefront of developing new e-learning opportunities. In 2003, we offered the first online MSc in Dementia Studies in the UK. In following person-centred care principles, this programme places the person with dementia at the very centre of our understanding.”

MSc in Dementia Studies
Programme Objectives

The objectives of the MSc are to:

• develop an advanced understanding of multidisciplinary perspectives about dementia and approaches to dementia care
• address critical issues in dementia care and service delivery
• foster improved multidisciplinary and collaborative practice
• compare and contrast national and international research
• identify and debate current practice developments
• develop critical thinking to promote reflective practice
• develop knowledge and skills of social research processes

The programme has been developed to provide students with an in-depth, research-based knowledge of dementia studies as well as grounding in academic and research skills.

Course director: Dr Fiona Kelly

Birkbeck, University of London

Department of Social Policy and Education
26 Russell Square
Bloomsbury
London WC1B 5DQ

Course director, Anne Jamieson

a.jamieson@bbk.ac.uk

020 7631 6649

PhD/MPhil in Life-course Studies

”We offer the opportunity to undertake independent research in a multidisciplinary setting. Life course research is a growing area of interdisciplinary work, focusing on adult life course transitions and mid/later life, using both psychological and social perspectives. Supervision is offered in a range of research areas, including: life course structures and images; life history research; education in adulthood and later life; mid-life transitions; gender and life transitions; retirement; social policy and ageing. These awards are by thesis, and there is no regular teaching timetable. However, relevant classes in research methods as well as research seminars will be offered. In addition, you will be taught through regular individual supervision sessions.”