Research Institute for Social Sciences

Gerontology research at Keele is based within the Centre for Social Gerontology (CSG) which has an international reputation in the scientific study of old age. The Centre’s research focuses on the social analysis of ageing, drawing on a variety of disciplinary and multi-disciplinary perspectives to examine individual and social ageing. 

Research facilities

Relevant courses are available on qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods which are part of the ESRC-recognised MRes Social Science Research Methods. Students are involved in research and training activities within CSG and the Institute for Life Course Studies, and within the Faculty of Health and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This includes participating in internal and external seminars, and presenting emerging research findings to a range of different audiences.  There are monthly meetings of the PhD student group and students are expected to participate in activities organised by the British Society of Gerontology’s ‘Emerging Scholars in Ageing’ group.

Research Staff and students

Students have access to a group of internationally recognised researchers in the field of ageing.  Our staff has a wide range of supervisory experience drawing on quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods traditions.  Such expertise includes grounded theory, narrative approaches, participatory-action research, surveys and biographical and life-course methods. 

• Care and accommodation
• Childlessness
• Critical perspectives
• Cross-national perspectives
• Culture
• Environment
• Family and community life
• Gender and sexuality
• Geriatric medicine
• Health and ageing
• Inter-generational issues
• Life-course and biography
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Participation and citizenship
• Social inclusion and exclusion
• Social policy