The BSA Ageing, Body and Society study group provides a forum to bring together academics, researchers, practitioners and policymakers whose work focuses on ageing bodies or wish to widen their interests by exploring the embodied dimensions of their research. In particular, the study group provides a forum for discussion and debate about the theoretical, empirical and policy / practice implications and ideas associated with the social, cultural and biological dimensions of our bodies as we grow older.

In 2008 the group was successfully re-launched with two events at the University of Reading and we now have a current membership of nearly 200. In April 2008, we hosted a Researching Ageing Bodies: Method Workshop that was well attended , with 35 participants in total, who enjoyed 6 engaging presentations on different research methods and methodologies, in order to explore ways that insights into ageing bodies can be elicited. This promoted lively discussion throughout the day.

In July 2008, we had a one-day conference Relaunch: Ageing Body and Society study group with excellent keynote addresses from Professor Stephen Katz, Trent University, Canada: Gerontology Embodied: Age and Biological Culture and Professor Julia Twigg, University of Kent, UK: Clothing, Identity and the Embodiment of Age. In total 60 participants had the opportunity to hear 20 papers, from international speakers as well as presenters from throughout the UK, on different theoretical and methodological approaches, practitioner perspectives, and empirical findings about ageing bodies. The opportunity to hear well established academics alongside emergent researchers and doctoral students was welcomed by all participants. Our re-launch was celebrated with a pink champagne and strawberry reception at the end of the day.

We are delighted to announce that we have three events planned for 2009:

BSA Annual Conference Cardiff
16th - 18th April 2009

The Ageing, Body and Society study group have four special sessions (12 papers in total) during the Open Stream on Friday 17th April.  The draft programme is now available at: http://www.britsoc.co.uk/events/ACProgramme.htm.  You can either register for the conference (via the BSA Conference Office) as a one day or a full conference delegate; see http://www.britsoc.co.uk/events/Conference.htm for further information on the conference.  We very much hope you can join and support us in Cardiff!

One day Annual Conference of the Ageing, Body and Society Study Group
Monday 20th July, the British Library, London

We are delighted to announce that our 2nd one day annual conference will be co-hosted by the British Library http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/quickinfo/loc/stp/index.html - this is a very special and engaging venue - so we very much hope you will be able to join us.  Further information and a call for papers will be available from February 2009.

A third event co-hosted with the Bradford Dementia Centre http://www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/health/dementia/ - to explore aspects of the ageing body and dementia is currently being planned.  This event is in the early stages of organisation but we anticipate that it will be held in Bradford during the autumn. 

Ageing bodies are well and truly on the gerontological map now!

We hope you will be able to join us at as many events as possible this year!

For further information, and to join the Ageing, Body and Society group mailing list, please contact:

Dr. Wendy Martin
School of Health and Social Care
University of Reading
Bulmershe Court
Earley, Reading. RG6 1HY.
0118 378 5842
W.P.Martin@reading.ac.uk