Spotlight On...Chris Phillipson

(17 August 2017)

Chris Phillipson, Professor of Sociology and Social Gerontology

Please can you tell us about your role as Professor of Sociology and Social Gerontology, and what a ‘typical’ day may be (if such a thing exists)? 

Virtually all my academic life has focused on understanding issues relating to population ageing and its implications for society. I find the topic hugely fascinating and have been fortunate to work with some great researchers along the way. I came to Manchester in 2012 and became very involved in the development of the Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing (MICRA), serving as Director of the Institute until last year. MICRA has a key role in the University, working across faculties and encouraging inter-disciplinary work - an essential task for ensuring progress on the social and health-related challenges facing older people. Since stepping down as Director I have concentrated my time on a number of research projects, mainly around areas such as urban ageing, the impact of retirement, and more recently on environmental issues in later life. I am not sure there is a 'typical' day, but I am invariably involved in working on at least one of these topics and supporting the researchers involved. 

What has been a major highlight for you over the past few months? 

I have just come back from the World Congress of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, held in San Francisco. This event brought together all the national societies working in the field of ageing. I did a keynote for this event which I was nervous about - very nervous if I am honest. But it went OK (I think) and it gave me a chance to raise concerns such as the growing inequalities among older people and problems resulting from the decline of the welfare state – both issues which I feel strongly about. There was a large turnout from researchers at The University of Manchester at the conference - demonstrating the leadership which the University has in the field of gerontology. A great thing about being in Manchester has been working with the City Council, which has a terrific commitment to supporting research in the field of ageing. Manchester was the first UK city to join the World Health Organization's network of 'age-friendly cities', and I am involved in developing - with my colleague Dr Tine Buffel - a strong research programme around this issue.  

What are you most looking forward to over the next six months in your role? 

I will be heavily involved in working on preparations for the annual conference of the British Society of Gerontology - the Manchester universities are hosting the conference - which will take place in July next year. This is a high-profile event attended by researchers across the world; it represents a great opportunity to showcase research into ageing across the University. There will be a range of 'fringe events' running alongside the conference. The plans are ambitious but we have a fine team to ensure it will be a success. I also see the next six months as an important time for working with colleagues across Greater Manchester developing 'age-friendly' activities. Within MICRA we have launched the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG) to co-ordinate research on this topic and to link with local authorities, housing associations and other organisations. The group is attracting some excellent and very enthusiastic researchers; I am optimistic about its future development. 

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve been given?

That's quite easy: I was around 19 and living in Cornwall and had been doing farm work for two or three years - a task for which I was rather ill-equipped. Cornwall - at that time at least - did have a very good careers advice service and a kind man suggested I go back to college to see if I could find anything to which I might be more suited. I followed his advice and took up something called 'sociology': it’s the only thing I have ever been passably good at. I’m still learning of course.