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Death and Ageing

A BSA Social Aspects of Death, Dying and Bereavement Study Group Annual Symposium

12 December 2024
Centre for Ageing and the Life Course, University of Liverpool, UK

Call for Abstracts

In the 21st century, most people die at a much older age than ever before, having experienced multiple losses in health, social connections, and independent living, among other areas. This demographic trend has profound implications for how we understand and support ageing, dying, and bereavement. The sociology of death however has yet fully touched upon the unique challenges associated with ageing, while the sociology of ageing has historically paid limited attention to issues of death, dying and bereavement. This symposium seeks to explore the relationships between ageing and dying, encouraging a more integrated approach to these connected life stages within the life course. We invite researchers and practitioners to submit abstracts that critically engage with these themes, shedding light on the social, economic, institutional, and cultural dimensions at the intersections between ageing, dying, loss and bereavement.

We welcome paper and alternative format abstracts that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Bridging the gap between the fields: what theories of ageing and the life-course contribute to an understanding of dying, and vice-versa.
  • The sociocultural dimensions of ageing and mortality.
  • Comparative studies of ageing and dying across different societies and cultures.
  • Innovations and new technologies in health and social care provision for older adults at the end of life.
  • Older adults’ lived experiences of loss and approaching the end of life.
  • Older adults’ attitudes towards death, assisted dying, care provision and proxy decision-making at the end of life.
  • Ethnic, religious, and sexual minority experiences of living towards the end of a long life.
  • Disabled and neurodivergent people’s experiences of living towards the end of a long life.
  • Paid and unpaid carers’ perspectives on caregiving at the end of a long life.
  • Intergenerational, family, and close relationships towards the end of a long life.
  • The impact of longevity on patterns of bereavement and the support structures available to bereaved older adults as well as the bereaved of older adults.
  • Theoretical and policy perspectives on the ‘good death’ in old age.

Submission

Please submit your abstract of up to 250 words by Midnight (BST) on Monday, 16 September 2024. Presentations will be 20 minutes long with additional time for questions.

Bursaries

A small number of bursaries are available to assist with travel costs for those with limited financial resources. For more information, please contact the study group convenors Diana Teggi, Chao Fang and Natalie Richardson.

Venue Information

The symposium will be held on Thursday, 12 December 2024 in the Centre for Ageing and the Life Course in the School of Law and Social Justice at the University of Liverpool - find out more about the venue and travel indications. More details will be released closer to the event.

Find out more about the Social Aspects of Death, Dying and Bereavement Study Group.