New imaginaries on ageing confronting ageism and sexism (tentative title)
Editors: Isabella Paoletti, Satu Heikkinen and Monika Allgurin
There is no doubt that life expectancy is increasing worldwide (EUROSTAT 2025; UN 2024). The oldest old cohort (those aged 80 years or over) is growing particularly rapidly, and women represent the vast majority of this age group. However, these improvements in longevity have coincided with an increasingly negative narratives of ageing (Ng and Chow 2021). Older women in particular face both ageism and sexism (Krekula et al 2018; Riach et al., 2015).
In the gerontological literature there is a quest for new imaginaries of ageing (Diehl et al. 2020; Vogt and Dahlke 2023) and criticisms have been levelled at “fourth age imaginaries” (Gilleard, & Higgs 2013) and at what have been termed: “regimes of anticipation” (Jarke &Manchester 2025) which shape what is thinkable and desirable, in relation to ageing. This book aims to challenge overtly negative images of ageing and old age created at the intersection of ageism and sexism (Gales & Hubner, 2020; Krekula et al. 2018; Riach et al., 2015; Wilińska, 2016). It documents older women and men who are rewriting ageing by living lives that differ from those inscribed in ageist and sexist stereotypes. Particular focus is given to new approaches to ageing and to older women, who are at the greatest risk of experiencing discrimination and adversity in their daily lives. The book will offer new perspectives and social images that are created outside of, and in opposition to, ageist and sexist stereotypes.
Original research contributions, using different methodological approaches, are invited. Theoretical contributions are also welcomed. Contributions will document older people ‘pushing the boundaries’ towards alternative representations of old age and living meaningful and involved lives in their last years. Contributions focussing on specific groups of older people such as those living in rural areas, people with disabilities, migrants, and LGBT individuals, will be particularly welcomed.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Overcoming sexism and ageism in institutional settings
- Challenging ageist and sexist stereotypes in the media and in social media
- New imaginaries of ageing in dramas and novels
- Alternative social images of ageing in everyday life
The book proposal will be submitted to Palgrave.
Please submit an abstracts (300-500 words) and a short bio (150 words) to paoletti@crispg.it by 30 September 2025
Communication of abstract acceptance: 15 October 2025
Chapter Submission (7000-8000 words) by 30 April 2026
Peer review process: 30 April – 30July 2026
Submission of the edited volume: by 30 September 2026
Estimated publication: January 2027
For additional information about this call for papers, please contact the editors: Isabella Paoletti, paoletti@crispg.it; Monika Allgurin, monika.allgurin@ju.se ; Satu Heikkinen, satu.heikkinen@kau.se
Bibliography
Diehl, M., Smyer, M. A., & Mehrotra, C. M. (2020). Optimizing aging: A call for a new narrative. American Psychologist, 75(4), 577–589. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000598
EUROSTAT (2025) Popolation structure and ageing Retrieved 15 May 2025, from: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?oldid=661901
Gales, A. & Hubner, S. V. (2020). Perceptions of the Self Versus One’s Own Social Group: (Mis)conceptions of Older Women’s Interest in and Competence With Technology, Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-15.
Gilleard, C., & Higgs, P. (2013). The fourth age and the concept of a social imagery: A theoretical excursus. Journal of Aging Studies, 27, 368-376.
Jarke, J., & Manchester, H. (2025). Datafied ageing futures: Regimes of anticipation and participatory futuring. Big Data & Society, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/20539517241306363
Krekula, Clary, Nikander, Pirjo & Wilińska, Monika (2018). Multiple Marginalizations Based on Age: Gendered Ageism and Beyond, in L. Ayalon, C. Tesch-Römer (Eds.), Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism, Springer.
Ng, R., & Chow, T. Y. J. (2021). Aging Narratives Over 210 Years (1810-2019). Journal of Gerontology B, Psychological Science and Social Science, 76(9), 1799-1807. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa222.
Riach, Kathleen, Loretto, Wendy & Krekula, Clary (2015). Gendered Ageing in the New Economy: Introduction to Special Issue, Gender, Work and Organization, 22(5) doi:10.1111/gwao.12108
United Nations (2024). World Population Prospects 2024: Summary of Results. UN DESA/POP/2024/TR/NO. 9. New York: United Nations.
Vogt, A., & Dahlke, S. (2023). Older Persons’ Experiences of Ageism: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. International Journal of Nursing Student Scholarship (IJNSS), 10, 78, 1-15. ISSN: 2291- 6679.
Dear Author,
just an update on the book proposal for Palgrave. We have decided to change the title slightly and circulate a call for papers since we did not have sufficient contributions for an edited volume. You will find the call for paper below, along with the relevant timeline for the edited volume. You do not need to resubmit your abstract, as it has already been accepted. We would be grateful if you could send us your 150 words-bio by the deadline.
Thank you very much for your kind cooperation, it is greatly appreciated.
All the best.
I am writing in relation to a call for papers for an edited volume entitled: New imaginaries on ageing confronting ageism and sexism (tentative title), edited by: Isabella Paoletti, Monika Allgurin and Satu Heikkinen, you find the call for papers below.
I would really appreciate it if you could circulate this call for papers among the members of your association.
Thank you very much for your kind help
Australia: Australian Association of Gerontology enquiries@aag.asn.au
rborst@aag.asn.au (president) Renu Borst inviata 28-7-2025
Japan: The Japan Socio-Gerontological Society office@rounenshakai.org
rounenshakai.center@nqfm.ftbb.net
Prof. Hidenori Arai The Japan Federation of Gerontological Societies (JFGS) geront.jpn@mist.ocn.ne.jp
Nordic countries:
Nordic Gerontological Federation
President Carin Lennartsson carin.lennartsson@sofi.su.se
c/o Louise Scheel Thomasen
Secretary & Treasurer of the NGF
UK: British Society of Gerontology info@britishgerontology.org Dr Linda Birt
University of East Anglia linda.birt@uea.ac.uk
SPAIN: la Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología (SEGG) segg@segg.es
Natalia Martín comunicacion@segg.es
Denmark: The Association for Anthropology and Gerontology, and the Life Course (AAGE)
Secretary Celeste Pang ncpang@mtroyal.ca
CANADA: The Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG)
Vice-president Lori Weeks lori.weeks@dal.ca
Nicole Dalmer dalmern@mcmaster.ca (Division Social sciences)
The Netherlands: Dutch Society of Gerontology (NVG-KNOWS)
President Martijn Huisman m.huisman@vu.nl, ma.huisman@vumc.nl
