This year the Alan Walker Prize was awarded to
Professor Anthea Tinker for her contribution to British Social Gerontology. Professor Tinker has undertaken a wide range of research in the field of social policy, specialising since 1974, in gerontology. She has carried out research on community care, a large number of national studies on housing for older people (including introducing assistive technology into older people's homes and remodelling sheltered housing and residential care homes to extra care), carers, information needs, technology/communication systems (including navigation aids, mobility of older people), older women, ethics, accidents and elder abuse. She is the author or co-author of 31 books and over 300 articles and book chapters. She has acted as Consultant to the WHO, OECD and the EU.
Many congratulations and thank you from all at BSG for your ongoing and outstanding contributions to and support for the society, Anthea.
At its 2007 Sheffield annual conference, the British Society of Gerontology established the Alan Walker Prize in recognition of the massive contribution he has made to British and international Social Gerontology. With his warm support and encouragement this is now an annual competitive award supported by nominations from the members of the British Society of Gerontology (henceforth the Society). A small judging committee was established, chaired by Alan Walker and comprising Tony Maltby (Universities of Sheffield and Leicester) who acts as Secretary to the committee; Tom Owen (City University); Andrew Harrop (Age UK); Jim Soulsby (University of Leicester and Association for Education and Ageing); the President, Judith Phillips; Past-President, Kate Davidson and President-Elect of the Society, Miriam Bernard. We shall hope to expand the committee in the near future.
The award is made annually to an individual or organisation that, in the opinion of the judges, has made a significant and lasting contribution to British Social Gerontology. This might be through for example, campaigning, teaching, lobbying, service provision, fundraising, journalism and research. In particular, the award is made to an individual or organisation that has made a significant impact on the policy process and through this helped improve the quality of life of older people. It is important to note that it is not intended for an academic contribution alone. Nominees, who should be consulted before any nomination is made, do not have to be current members of the Society but will be encouraged to join. In the unlikely event that the committee agree that none of the nominees meet the criteria of the award they then can make an award outside of the nominations received. The judges’ decision will be final and they will not enter into any communication about that decision. Previous winners include Baroness Sally Greengross and Tessa Harding.
Thu 9 September 2010 
