From Exclusion to Inclusion in Later Life: A Way Forward

Join us for this year's David Hobman Lecture, featuring Professor Thomas Scharf.

A growing body of research evidence points to the multi-faceted risks of social exclusion faced by people in later life.

A combination of low incomes, lack of social connection, limited opportunities to engage in civic life, challenging features of the local environment, restricted access to services and supports, and the experience of ageism and age discrimination greatly reduce the quality of life of too many older adults in countries like the UK.

Given the remarkable absence of a co-ordinated policy response to these issues, this lecture makes the case for a strategic commitment to reduce social exclusion and improve wellbeing in later life.

This event is hybrid, details on joining online will be sent to registered guests. The event will be followed by a drinks reception.

Speaker

Professor Thomas Scharf

Professor Thomas Scharf is Professor of Social Gerontology in the Population Health Sciences Institute at Newcastle University and co-director of Newcastle University’s Centre for Ageing and Inequalities. He was previously Director of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, University of Galway (2010-2015) and of the Centre for Social Gerontology, Keele University (2006-2010). A Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Tom has held visiting professorships at the universities of Galway, Keele, Manchester and Vienna. He was President of the British Society of Gerontology from 2019 to 2022.

Tom's research focuses on issues relating to social inclusion and exclusion in later life in a range of settings. His work has been supported by major grants from the Economic and Social Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the New Dynamics of Ageing programme, the Irish Research Council, and The Atlantic Philanthropies.