Ageing on the Periphery: How Place and Social Structures Shape Inequalities in Later Life
Franklin-Wilkins Building, Waterloo Campus, London
Join us for the 2026 Institute of Gerontology lecture with this year's distinguished speaker, Professor Cecilia Tomassini (University of Molise) who will present on "Ageing on the periphery: How place and social structures shape inequalities in later life."
Southern European populations are shrinking and ageing. Concerns about the negative impact of significant population decline on Europe’s future economic development and social cohesion are increasingly featured in official documents and public debates. Italy’s rapid population ageing is unfolding alongside deep and persistent spatial inequalities that shape family relations, care provision, and access to essential services.
Bringing together evidence from demographic, spatial, and health policy research, Prof Tomassini examines how territorial context—particularly remoteness—conditions intergenerational ties, population dynamics, and long-term care opportunities for older adults. The findings, patterns, and the drivers of these disadvantages, such as accelerated depopulation and uneven distribution of healthcare infrastructure, will be discussed.
The event will take place in person in FWB G.79, Franklin Wilkins Building at King’s College London Waterloo campus and will be followed by a drinks reception. Admission is free, but due to high demand, seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis—attendees without tickets will not be admitted.
Join us on Wed 4 March, 5.30pm for this thought provoking discussion on reducing inequalities in later life.
Disclaimer: For in-person events we operate a policy of overbooking, given drop-out rates. Please ensure you arrive in good time to avoid disappointment on the day.
About the Speaker
Professor Cecilia Tomassini
Cecilia Tomassini is Professor of Demography at the University of Molise, where she conducts internationally recognised research on how population ageing impacts family relationships, living arrangements, and life-course transitions, including the roles of grandparents and intergenerational ties. Her work combines demographic analysis with social and health perspectives, with a strong focus on ageing societies in Europe.
Professor Tomassini holds prominent roles in national and international research networks on ageing and population change and is actively involved in the Age-IT Programme (Ageing Well in an Ageing Society), Italy’s flagship €115 million research initiative on ageing, funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
Since 2018, she has been an expert member of the National Council for Economic and Labour (CNEL), appointed by the President of the Italian Republic. Since 2016, she has also been a member of the Scientific Committee of the Research Centre for Inner Areas and Apennines. She is former President-elect of the Italian Association for Population Studies and Associate Editor of Genus. In addition, Professor Tomassini regularly collaborates with other academic institutions, policymakers, and public organisations, helping to shape more inclusive and sustainable responses to longer lives.
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