In our series of international seminars discussing ‘A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy‘ this online event highlighted another two key issues of ageing and social policy - the ageing workforce in times of digitalization and shifting social relations and family patterns connected to population ageing.

In our series of international seminars discussing ‘A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy‘ this online event highlighted two key issues of ageing and social policy - combating ageism and promoting active ageing. Clemens Tesch-Römer and Liat Ayalon presented cultural and societal patterns of age-related discrimination and their impact on social and public policies, and they proposed research to expand the evidence base. Oxana Sinyavskaya then followed with an analysis of the active ageing concept that has shaped social policies around ageing over the past decades. Synthesizing scientific and political perspectives, she revealed the needs for further research and policy development.

Alexander Peine, Anne Meissner and Anna Wanka will present findings from their chapter on digitalisation in the book ‘A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy’. Starting from a critical view on ‘technological solutions’ promoted by policymakers to address problems of ageing, they explore technology and innovation policy as an important arena that makes ageing and shapes social policies.

This international seminar served to launch the book “A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy” to a wider audience to discuss with selected authors, how these transitions can be shaped and facilitated by social policy interventions to ensure more equal chances for all, less ageism and better adaptation to technological change – from active and healthy ageing, digitalized labour markets and long-term care to intergenerational community-building, innovative services and new types of benefit systems.