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We investigate the challenges of health and social care, as well as the social, economic and policy consequences of ageing populations in both developed and developing worlds. 

Founded in 1986, our Institute leads excellent research and teaching in critical areas for ageing societies and older people, including healthy ageing, long-term care, employment, social participation, age-friendly cities, grandparents, housing and social policy. 

Find out more about studying gerontology on our postgraduate courses page.

Annual David Hobman Lecture

The Annual David Hobman Lecture brings audiences the opportunity to explore concepts of ageing, including the social, economic and policy consequences of ageing populations in both developed and developing worlds.

The Annual Lecture was set up in memory of David Hobman CBE, who was the first director of Age Concern England and Chairman of the Age Concern Institute of Gerontology at King's College London, set up in 1986.

The 2023 annual lecture, 'From Exclusion to Inclusion in Later Life: A Way Forward', presented by Professor Thomas Scharf, makes the case for a strategic commitment to reduce social exclusion and improve wellbeing in later life.

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Spotlight publication

'Later retirement, job strain and health: evidence from the new State Pension Age in the UK' outlines the health effects on women from recent reforms to the UK State Pension Age.

The study, the first to evaluate the health effects of the reforms, has found that rises in the State Pension Age have led to a 30% increase in the probability of depressive symptoms amongst women working in physically and psychosocially demanding jobs. These are jobs characterised by low-control combined with high job demands.

About a third of women in the UK work in these jobs, including those in housekeeping and restaurant services, personal care, sales, cleaning, and machine operation.

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