Storying Later Life: Key Concepts in a Narrative Perspective on Ageing

Gerontology is a multi-disciplinary field that explores the complexity of aging from a variety of angles: psychological, sociological, physiological, etc. The sub-field of narrative gerontology, which draws on research in narrative psychology, narrative therapy, narrative medicine, etc., is grounded in the conviction that we humans are hermeneutical beings, that we make sense of our lives and our worlds through essentially narrative processes. Thus, we age not just biologically but biographically as well. This presentation will outline key concepts in a narrative perspectives on later life. These include narrative development, narrative challenges (e.g., narrative foreclosure), narrative environment, and the importance of narrative care with older adults.

About the speaker:

William (Bill) Randall is Professor Emeritus of Gerontology at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, Canada, and a Derek Brewer Visiting Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University (Lent 2024). He has authored or co-authored over 70 publications, including ten books. Among these are: The Stories We Are, Reading Our Lives, The Narrative Complexity of Ordinary Life, and most recently Things That Matter: Special Objects in Our Stories as We Age (University of Toronto Press, 2023). See www.williamlrandall.com.

About the Narrative Practices Lab:

Led by Laura Mazzoli Smith and Veronica Heney, the Lab works with collaborators to explore and develop innovative methodologies and long-term, interdisciplinary, critical approaches to narrative and health.

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For any queries, please contact anna.c.stenning@durham.ac.uk.