The British Society of Gerontology (BSG) provides a multidisciplinary forum across the UK for researchers and other individuals interested in the situations of older people, and in how knowledge about ageing and later life can be enhanced and improved. As a learned society, its aim is to advance gerontological research, education, theory and practice. BSG is also active in raising the profile of ageing and in drawing attention to its social, economic and policy implications.

We are very pleased to announce a new branch of BSG in Northern Ireland (BSGNI), which will bring together practitioners, educators, policy-makers, students and older people. The aim of the society in Northern Ireland is to increase awareness of social gerontology, and to develop a vibrant, cross sector, social gerontology research network within Northern Ireland. Areas of interest will include social and behavioural sciences; humanities; medicine; health; housing; social care; nursing; policy arenas and voluntary agencies.

To launch BSGNI an event Representing Age will take place on Wednesday 22 April 2015. Professor Julia Twigg(University of Kent) will focus on her research on clothes, fashion and age, whilst Dr Maeve Rea (Queen's University Belfast) will talk about Super Vivere: Reflections on long life and ageing well. The event will take place in the Arts Council, 77 Malone Road, Belfast, from 3-5 pm on Wednesday 22 April. Registration begins at 2.30 pm. The event is free, although places are limited and so must be booked in advance. If you would like to book a place, please email caroline.rice@qub.ac.uk.

Find out more

 

Work continues to populate the newly launched Accounts of the Conflict digital archive. On the site you can also see local and international experts presentations on digitally archiving stories for peacebuilding.  

ARK will be hosting a National Centre for Research Methods course, 'Questionnaire Design and Implementation for Web Surveys'. The two-day course will be given by Dr. Pamela Campanelli, and will take place 29 & 30 April 2015 at Queen's University. It is intended for postgraduates, career researchers and others who need to learn about all aspects of carrying out surveys online.
Dr. Campanelli is an excellent presenter who has given several similar well-received courses in Northern Ireland in recent years.

Find out more  

As we approach the 2015 elections don't forget that Nicholas Whyte's NI Elections website has full details on all elections here at local, national and European level. Nicholas has added predictions for the 2015 elections by constituency.

Find out more  

"Promoting evidence-led policy and law-making within Northern Ireland" - that is the underlying aim of the Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS). KESS is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, formally partnering a legislative arm of government - the Assembly - with academia. Aiming to encourage debate and improve understanding, KESS provides a forum to present and disseminate research findings in a straightforward format, across the Programme for Government; making those findings easily accessible to decision-makers such as MLAs and Assembly committees, as well as the wider public sector.

The Series presents networking opportunities, attracting a broad spectrum of attendees. These include: MLAs and their staff; Assembly staff; public and private sector employees; academics; voluntary and community groups; and, members of the public.

29 April 2015 1:30pm in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, located on Stormont Estate.
The Seminar will focus on Social Isolation and Exclusion. Dr Paula Devine (QUB) et al - Social isolation and older men: meeting the need? and Dr Sarah Eardley-Weaver (QUB) - Including all: Improving arts accessibility for people with varying visual and hearing ability

Find out more