I suppose being a student of gerontology I should realise that time can pass very quickly. However looking back I can honestly say that the last year seems to have passed very quickly, without me undertaking many of the things that I thought I would complete (hopefully my supervisors are not reading this). I have just completed my first year in office and I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who have either participated in, or helped organise ERA events over the past 12 months. The list is endless but all those who have presented have my special thanks along with three individuals who stand out: Mary Gilhooly, Bernadette Bartlam, and Jenny Hislop.

It has given me great pleasure to meet so many of you at Brunel University in May, in Bristol in September, and at a variety of other events and seminars throughout the year. At these events it was wonderful to see students and researchers in the early stages of their chosen careers present papers. The strength and diversity of these presentations offers a bright future for ageing research.

The future prospects of ERA as an organisation within BSG are very strong. For the first time BSG has recognised the importance of our emerging researchers group by giving us a position on its Executive Committee. The importance of this cannot be underestimated as it gives us a voice in the future directions of BSG. As Judith Phillips, the new president of BSG, puts forward plans for a broader strategic view (in this issue of Generations Review), it is also time for ERA to consider its own future. With this in mind it is important that you as members pass on your ideas and views about the future direction of ERA. Can I thank those of you who were able to attend our informal lunch during the Annual Conference at Bristol. I thoroughly enjoyed the event and the many ideas that were generated during the discussion will be evaluated and will be acted upon over the next few months.

One such idea was the formation of a social networking site on Facebook for students and emerging researchers. It was felt that this may be a way of engaging with student groups who are familiar with the use of such sites. Since its inception we have already begun to further our links with colleagues in Canada and the USA. It is hoped that this site will grow and be developed further. This may also be a way of forming links with, and offering support to, students who are outside the academic disciplines and institutions that have traditionally researched ageing. I would like to thank Hannah Marston and Kelly Fitzgerald for their help in this project.

With the passing of the academic years also comes the realisation that I have only a further 12 months in Office, and it is with this in mind that I formally welcome Christian Beech as Chair elect of ERA. Christian Beech is currently seconded from a local authority to the post of Senior Research Assistant at Swansea University. He has practice experience as a qualified social worker prior to moving into policy and strategic management, specialising in work with older people in community and acute practice settings. His current research interests include critical gerontological social work with older people; partnership and interdisciplinary working, and preventative services.

On a personal note, like many others, the passing of the Annual Conference also brings the realisation that another academic year has passed. I am entering (hopefully) the final academic year of my PhD studies, and I wish all my colleagues who are entering this difficult stage in their thesis preparation the very best. Finally, I hope that whatever stage of your career you are at, ERA as an organisation will be able to offer you a supportive and stimulating environment.