One of the highlights of the BSG calendar in 2006 was the 35th Annual
Conference held in the beautiful surroundings of the University of
Wales Bangor 7-9 September 2006. Addressing the theme The Ageing Jigsaw: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Old Age,
the conference attracted around 270 delegates, including academics,
researchers, practitioners, policy makers, students, and older people
from the UK and overseas.
As a forum for the dissemination of
information and research on ageing, the conference offered delegates a
wide variety of plenary sessions, symposia, paper and poster
presentations. Five well-received plenary sessions delivered by
internationally acclaimed keynote speakers Christine Fry, Julian Tudor Hart, Robert Taylor, Clare Wenger and Steven Zarit
provided an opportunity for delegates to reflect on the scope and
interdisciplinarity of gerontology. Scientific papers and posters on
topics ranging from subjective experiences of dementia, quality of life
in care homes, and intergenerational relationships, through to the use
of technology, issues in biomedical ageing, and ethics added further
pieces to the ageing jigsaw.
Alongside the formal programme, opportunities
for networking and social events were a key attraction of the
conference. Delegates enjoyed a wine reception hosted by
Age Concern England, a disco, and the splendid gala dinner and ceilidh, as well as socialising in the bar and over coffee.
Conference organisation requires a great deal
of skill, energy and perseverance. Our warmest congratulations to
Vanessa Burholt and her team at University of Wales Bangor for putting
together one of the most successful and memorable BSG conferences of
recent years. Thanks also to the conference sponsors Beth Johnson Foundation, The British Academy, and Age Concern
without whose support the conference would not have been possible, and
to the conference exhibitors for their stimulating displays.
Don't miss the next BSG conference Realities of Ageing: Research into Action
to be held at Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, 6-8 September
2007. With keynote speakers including Germaine Greer, John McKnight,
Kevin Morgan and Neil Small it promises to be a highlight of this year's
BSG calendar.