Bringing World-Class Researchers to Trent: Trent Centre for Aging & Society Launches New Distinguished Scholar Program
TCAS announces Stephen Katz Distinguished Visiting Scholar program
Marking a milestone for the Trent Centre for Aging & Society (TCAS), the Stephen Katz Distinguished Visiting Scholar in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies has been launched to honour the distinguished career of a critical aging studies visionary, and founding member of TCAS. The visiting scholar program will bring a world-class critical aging studies scholar to Trent every year.
Dr. Stephen Katz, professor emeritus at Trent University, has been described as one of the leading thinkers in the field of gerontology, and is renowned the world over for his significant theoretical and methodological contributions to the global sociology of aging.
“Stephen’s contribution to his field and to the founding of TCAS cannot be overstated,” says Dr. Mark Skinner, director of TCAS. “With this program, we hope to expose our students, and the broader community, to some of the best minds working in critical aging studies in the world. It’s this kind of interaction that helps expand the discipline and move people to think about aging in new ways.”
On October 26, a full house eagerly gathered to hear the program’s first public lecture by Dr. Ulla Kriebernegg, associate professor with the Centre for Inter-American Studies at the University of Graz in Austria. The lecture was focused on an autobiographical story about dementia that challenges the traditional narrative of decline, and was well received. TCAS executive member, Professor Barb Marshall said, “it was inspiring, insightful, and utterly captivating. What a perfect way to launch this initiative!”
“I knew Stephen’s work before I knew him,” said Professor Kriebernegg. “His book, Disciplining Old Age (1996) is a touchstone in the field. He shaped the field of critical aging studies and I’m very happy and proud to have my name linked with this program and Stephen Katz. It means a lot to my career development.”
To establish and endow this lecture, Trent University has launched a $75,000 fundraising campaign. We need your help to ensure the program is robust enough to attract leading researchers to Trent University each and every year. Please consider giving to help make this a reality.