The British Academy Debates will illuminate and address some of today's toughest challenges, and demonstrate the importance of academic research in our everyday lives.
Too Old and Ugly to be Useful?
Has there ever been a golden age of ageing, or is that golden age now? In the past, representations of older people in literature, art, the media and everyday life have been highly diverse; stressing their positive roles in their families and communities as much as their frailty. As the numbers of older peopl
e grows, how can we promote and celebrate their positive contribution, and challenge the pervasive negative stereotypes of later life?
Speakers: Professor Pat Thane, Dr Lorna Warren
Discussants: Professor Tim Parkin, Dr Ilona Haslewood
University of Sheffield Students' Union, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG Tuesday 25 March 2014, 6pm
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The Best Years of our Lives
What are the best years of our lives? What are the true consequences of an ageing brain and body? How do our genes, environments and lifestyles affect our older selves? Is it time to rethink what we perceive an older person is capable of? Should policy-makers, politicians and business leaders rethink issues such as retirement, flexible working and the way neighbourhoods are designed, to give us longer, fuller lives?
Chaired by Simon Callow
Speakers: Professor Ian Deary, Professor Catharine Ward Thompson
Discussants: Sir Alan Peacock, Sally Magnusson
Assembly Hall, Mound Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2LU Tuesday 29 April 2014, 6pm
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