Walker, Alan, Professor

Professor Alan Walker (he/him)

CBE, DLitt, Hon DSocSc (HKBU), FBA, FRSA, FASS, FGSA

Department of Sociological Studies

Professor of Social Policy and Social Gerontology

Previously Director of the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme

Co-Director of the Healthy Lifespan Institute

a.c.walker@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6466

The Wave

Full contact details

Professor Alan Walker
Department of Sociological Studies
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
Sheffield
S10 2AH

Profile

Alan Walker joined the Department in 1977 and was a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Reader in Social Policy. He was appointed Professor of Social Policy in 1985 and was Head of Department from 1988 to 1996.

He directed the £22 million New Dynamics of Ageing Research Programme funded by five UK Research Councils (2005-15), the £6.5 million Mobilising the Potential of Active Ageing in Europe (2013-17) and the £3.5 million ESRC Growing Older Programme (1999-2004).

Previously he directed the UK National Collaboration on Ageing Research, the European Research Area in Ageing and several large European projects, including FUTURAGE which set out a road map for the future of ageing research.

He supervises postgraduate students and has more than 60 successful completions. He was previously Research Director for the Social Sciences Faculty.

He has held many official advisory positions and is currently a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Longevity's Strategic Advisory Board.

Research interests

Alan's research interests span a wide range in social analysis, social policy and social planning. He is a specialist in social gerontology and, with two colleagues in the Netherlands, is responsible for developing the concept of social quality and he Chairs the European Foundation on Social Quality, which is based in Amsterdam. He co-founded and co-directs Sheffield University’s Healthy Lifespan Institute.

Currently he is the UK partner on the four-nation comparative project Extending Working Lives and Inequality and Co-Investigator on the ESRC project Ethnicity and Unequal Ageing. He has published more than 30 books, over 200 reports and more than 300 papers in scholarly journals and edited volumes. His work has been published in more than 20 languages.

He is a founding Academician of the Academy for Learned Societies in the Social Sciences, a Fellow of the British Academy and, in 2007, was given lifetime achievement awards by both the British Society of Gerontology and the Social Policy Association.

He has been active in the UK voluntary sector for many years and co-founded the Disability Alliance in 1974. He is currently Patron of the National Pensioner's Convention and Greater London Forum for Older People.

Research topics

Quality of later life

Director of the ESRC Growing Older Research Programme on Extending Quality Life (1999-2004).
The twin objectives of the programme were to establish a broad-based multidisciplinary and co-ordinated research programme designed to generate new knowledge on the extension of quality life; and to contribute to the development of policies and practices in the field and, thereby, help to extend quality life.
The research topics covered by the programme were defining and measuring quality of life, inequalities in quality of life, the role of technology and the built environment, healthy and productive ageing, family and support networks and participation and activity in later life.

Developing multi-disciplinary research on ageing

Director of the New Dynamics of Ageing Research Programme (2005-2015)
This multi-disciplinary research programme was sponsored by the ESRC, EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC and AHRC. For further information see http://www.shef.ac.uk/newdynamics

Developing European collaboration in ageing research

Director of the European Forum on Population Ageing Research (2002-2004)
Director of FUTURAGE: The European Road Map for Ageing Research (2009-2011).
For further information see
Director of the European Research Area in Ageing (2004 - 2012)
For further information see http://www.shef.ac.uk/era-age
Director of the UK National Collaboration on Ageing Research (2000-2004)
The objectives of the NCAR were to stimulate new multi-disciplinary research groups in the field of ageing; to develop a new cross-Research Council approach to research on ageing with an explicit interdisciplinary theme; to encourage stronger links between research and policy and practice in the ageing field; and to develop the European dimension of ageing research in the UK.

Comparative research on social policy

This mainly focuses on the welfare regimes of the Member States of the European Union and the social policy competencies of the European Commission. Convenor of the European Social Policy Research Network formed under the European Sociological Association and co-founder of ESPAnet.

Development and testing the concept of 'social quality'

This is designed to provide an independent rationale for social policy in Europe. The concept comprises social inclusion/exclusion, social cohesion/anomie, socio-economic security/insecurity, and social empowerment/subordination.
A European Foundation exists to co-ordinate this work, with members in all EU countries and with links to the European Commission. Chair of this European Foundation on Social Quality which is based in Amsterdam.
For further information see

Social gerontology

This research covers a broad field and includes theoretical work on the social construction of old age and the relationship between ageing and welfare/social policy.
empirical research on the social relationships of old age
attitudes towards ageing and socio-economic security in old age
policy evaluations in the areas of pensions and long-term care and comparative research on the impact of societal ageing in both Europe and East Asia and the politics of old age.

Age and employment

This research covers the impact of ageing workforces, age discrimination in the labour market, labour market policies on older workers, employers' responses to workforce ageing and good practice in the employment of older workers.
He was responsible for the first European research of actions to overcome age barriers in employment, covering seven EU countries and has co-led the development of a European Code of Good Practice on age and employment.

Chinese and East Asian welfare

This is a long-standing interest in the welfare systems of East Asia and China - including many PhD students from Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Taiwan - and the Confucian, family oriented, ideology.
This research includes comparative work on models of welfare east and west.

Older people with learning difficulties/ intellectual disabilities and their carers

Having conducted (with Carol Walker) the first major study in the UK on older people with learning difficulties, this represents ongoing research programme covering the distribution of health and social services, user involvement, human rights, the principle of normalisation and the problems encountered by older carers.

Social exclusion/ inclusion

This is a long-standing interest in poverty and inequality, which has recently been amalgamated into the research on social quality (see above).
Research concentrates on the dimensions of social exclusion, measuring exclusion and its impact, the meaning of poverty and the lives of those experiencing it.
This research includes European and local community dimensions.

Empowerment

This research is largely subsumed under that on social quality and social gerontology but also includes a general interest in ideas of empowerment and the mechanisms by which citizens can be involved actively in decision making and research.

Intergenerational relations

As well as general interests in social policy and ageing there are specific interests in relations between the generations both at a macro level (the social contract) and, at a micro level, within families.

Publications

Books

(2019) . Springer Singapore.
Walker A (2018) The new dynamics of ageing.
Walker A (2018) Preface.
(2017) . IEEE.
Maesen LJGVD & Walker A (2012) Social Quality: From Theory to Indicators. Palgrave Macmillan.
Walker A, Sinfield A & Walker C (2011) Fighting poverty, inequality and injustice: A manifesto inspired by Peter Townsend.
(2010) . IEEE.
Walker A & Naegele G (2009) Social Policy in Ageing Societies: Britain and Germany Compared. Palgrave MacMillan.
Walker A & Aspalter C (2008) Securing the Future for Old Age in Europe.
Walker A & Chack-Kie W (2005) Preface.
Walker A & Chack-Kie W (2005) East Asian welfare regimes in transition: From confucianism to globalisation.
Qureshi H & Walker A (1989) . Macmillan Education UK.
Walker A (1982) . Macmillan Education UK.
Walker A () . Bristol University Press.
Walker A, Sinfield A & Walker C () . Bristol University Press.
Walker A & Wong C-K () . Bristol University Press.

Edited books

Ebury K & Fraser J (Ed.) (2018) . Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.
Foster L & Woodthorpe K (Ed.) (2016) . Palgrave Macmillan.
Walker AC & Wang L (Ed.) (2015) Comparative Social Quality Between Taiwan and Korea. Tapei: National Taiwan University Press.
Walker A & Aspalter C (Ed.) (2014) Active Ageing in Asia. Oxford: Routledge.
Walker A (Ed.) (2014) The New Science of Ageing. Policy Press.
Walker A & Foster L (Ed.) (2014) The Political Economy of Ageing and Later Life: Critical Perspectives. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Walker A, Sinfield A & Walker C (Eds.) (2011) Fighting Poverty, Inequality and Injustice. Policy Press.
Walker A & Van Der Maesen L (Ed.) (2011) . Palgrave Macmillan.
Walker A, Gordon D, Levitas R, Phillimore P, Phillipson C, Salomon M & Yeates N (Eds.) (2010) The Peter Townsend Reader. Policy Press.

Journal articles

Walker A (2024) Foreword. A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy, xv-xvi.
Phillipson C & Walker A (2024) . Social Gerontology: New Directions, 1-15.
Crossdale R, Foster L & Walker A (2023) . Innovation in Aging, 7(Supplement_1), 544-545.
Zhou J & Walker A (2023) . Australasian Journal on Ageing.
Walker A (2023) Foreword by Alan Walker. Covid-19 Pandemic: Problems Arising in Health and Social Policy, vii-ix.
Zhou J & Walker A (2022) . Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(6), 7-11.
Jung CL, Walker A & Moon Y (2022) . International Journal of Care and Caring.
Foster L & Walker A (2021) . BioMed Research International, 2021, 1-11.
Jung CL & Walker A (2021) . Asian Social Work and Policy Review.
Holman D & Walker A (2020) . European Journal of Ageing.
Fang Y & Walker A (2020) . Journal of Asian Public Policy, 13(2), 129-145.
Zhu H & Walker AC (2019) . Ageing & Society, 39(7), 1335-1339.
Corbett S & Walker A (2019) . Social Policy and Society, 18(1), 87-91.
Walker A & Corbett S (2019) . Social Policy and Society, 18(1), 161-167.
Corbett S & Walker AC (2018) . Social Policy and Society.
Foster L, Tomlinson M & Walker A (2018) . Ageing & Society.
Holman DJ & Walker A (2018) . Social Indicators Research, 138(1), 245-270.
Walker AC (2018) . Journal of Social Policy, 47(2), 253-273.
Zhu H & Walker AC (2018) . Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 12(1), 17-28.
Zhu H & Walker AC (2018) . Social Policy & Administration.
Foster L, Woodthorpe K & Walker A (2017) . Mortality.
Walker AC (2017) . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 1327-1327.
Zaidi A & Walker AC (2017) . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 687-687.
Walker AC & Beard J (2017) . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 686-686.
Walker AC (2017) . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 686-686.
Lamura G, Martin-Matthews A & Walker AC (2017) . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 104-104.
Walker AC (2017) . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 1327-1327.
Jagger C, Wohland P, Walker AC & Neary D (2017) . Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 1327-1327.
Zhou J & Walker AC (2016) . Ageing and Society, 36(6), 1312-1332.
Walker A & Zaidi A (2016) . Intereconomics, 51(3), 139-144.
Dabinett G, Borland M, Squires S & Walker A (2016) . Local Economy, 31(4), 478-488.
Prast H, van Soest A, Blank F, Logeay C, Türk E, Wöss J, Zwiener R, von Nordheim F, Bauknecht J, Cebulla A , Walker A et al (2016) . Intereconomics, 51(3), 112-112.
Tomlinson M, Walker AC & Foster L (2016) . Journal of Social Policy, 45(2), 345-371.
Fang Y & Walker A (2015) . The Journal of Chinese Sociology, 2(1).
Walker AC (2015) . Australas J Ageing, 34(1), 2-8.
Foster L & Walker A (2015) . Gerontologist, 55(1), 83-90.
Jie L & Walker A (2014) . Social Policy and Society, 13(2), 319-319.
Walker A (2014) . Practice, 26(3), 195-197.
Corbett S & Walker AC (2013) . Critical Social Policy, 33(3), 451-472.
Walker A & Hallinger P (2013) . Journal of Educational Administration, 51(4).
Walker A & Hallinger P (2013) . Journal of Educational Administration, 51(2).
Lei J & Walker A (2013) . Social Policy and Society, 12(1), 17-30.
Fernández-Ballesteros R, Robine JM, Walker A & Kalache A (2013) . Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research, 2013, 1-4.
Parker S, Jagger C, Lamura G, Chiatti C, Wahl H, Iwarsson S, Svensson T & Walker A (2012) . European Geriatric Medicine, 3, S100-S101.
Walker A & Hallinger P (2012) . Journal of Educational Administration, 50(4).
Walker A & Hallinger P (2012) . Journal of Educational Administration, 50(2).
Walker A & Maltby T (2012) . International Journal of Social Welfare.
Walker A (2012) . POLITICAL QUARTERLY, 83(4), 812-819.
Corbett S & Walker A (2012) . Political Quarterly, 83(3), 487-493.
Hennessy CH & Walker A (2011) . Ageing and Society, 31(1), 52-69.
Walker A & Fong F (2010) . Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 8(4), 425-430.
Jung CL & Walker A (2009) . Social Policy and Administration: an international journal of policy and research, 43(5), 425-444.
Walker A (2009) . Ageing and Society, 29, 1007-1013.
Walker A & Lowenstein A (2009) . European Journal of Ageing, 6(2), 61-66.
Walker AC & Wong CK (2009) The relationship between social policy and economic policy: constructing the public burden of wefare in China and the West. Development and Society, 38(1), 1-26.
Walker A (2009) . Assistive Technology Research Series, 23, 35-48.
Walker A (2009) . Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 21(1), 75-93.
Walker A (2008) Alan Walker: At last, a housing strategy for an ageing population. POLICY POLIT, 36(4), 612-613.
Walker A (2007) . AGE AGEING, 36(5), 481-483.
Gong S, Walker A & Shi G (2007) . Int J Health Serv, 37(4), 651-672.
Walker A (2006) . J SOC POLICY, 35, 437-454.
Walker A (2006) . Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología, 41, 49-56.
Walker A (2006) . Asia-Pacific Review, 13(1), 78-93.
Walker A & Foster L (2006) . Review of Political Economy, 18(3), 427-448.
Walker A (2005) . European Journal of Ageing, 2(1), 2-12.
Walker A (2005) . Ageing and Society, 25(6), 815-839.
Walker A (2004) . AGEING SOC, 24, 657-674.
Sidorenko A & Walker A (2004) . AGEING SOC, 24, 147-165.
Walker A (2004) Quality of life of older people. European comparisons. Revista Espanola de Geriatria y Gerontologia, 39(SUPPL. 3), 8-17.
Walker A (2003) . Nursing and Residential Care, 5(7), 345-345.
Walker A (2002) . Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología, 37(6), 334-341.
Walker A (2002) . Z Gerontol Geriatr, 35(4), 297-303.
Walker A (2002) . Int J Epidemiol, 31(4), 758-761.
Walker A (2002) . Social Policy and Society, 1(2), 129-138.
Walker A (2002) . Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 3(1), 2-3.
Walker A (2002) . International Social Security Review, 55(1), 121-139.
Walker A (2002) . Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 3(1), 4-12.
Walker A & Duveau AC (2002) La vieillesse est une expérience non homogène. Retraite et Societe, 37(3), 234-239.
Walker A (2001) . Clin Med (Lond), 1(4), 305-306.
Walker A (2000) . Gerontologist, 40(3), 304-308.
Walker A & Martimo K (2000) . Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 1(1), 8-14.
Walker A (1999) . Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 32(6), 390-397.
Walker A & Taylor P (1999) . Ageing International, 25(3), 62-79.
Marshall VW & Walker A (1999) . Ageing International, 25(3), 10-13.
Walker A (1999) . Z Gerontol Geriatr, 32(6), 390-397.
Walker A (1999) . Exp Aging Res, 25(4), 367-377.
Beck W, Berting J, Herrmann P, Lenk T, de Leonardis O, van der Maesen LJG, Sagardoy de Simón I, Svetlik I, Széman Z, Teichmann V , Therborn G et al (1999) . European Journal of Social Quality, 1(1-2).
Walker A (1999) . Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance: Issues and Practice, 24(4), 448-460.
Walker AC (1999) . Critical Social Policy, 19(4), 511-527.
Taylor P & Walker A (1998) Employers and older workers: attitudes and employment practices. AGEING SOC, 18, 641-658.
Fiorentino L, Datta D, Gentle S, Hall DM, Harpin V, Phillips D & Walker A (1998) . Arch Dis Child, 79(4), 306-311.
Fiorentino L, Phillips D, Walker A & Hall D (1998) . Health Soc Care Community, 6(4), 260-270.
Walker A & Walker C (1998) Normalisation and 'normal' ageing: the social construction of dependency among older people with learning difficulties. DISABIL SOC, 13(1), 125-142.
Taylor P & Walker A (1998) . Human Resource Management Journal, 8(3), 61-76.
Walker A & Walker C (1998) . Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 23(1), 25-39.
Walker A (1998) . European Journal of Social Work, 1(1), 109-111.
Taylor P & Walker A (1997) Age discrimination and public policy. PERS REV, 26(4), 307-&.
Barnes M & Walker A (1996) Consumerism versus empowerment: A principled approach to the involvement of older service users. POLICY POLIT, 24(4), 375-393.
Walker A, Walker C & Ryan T (1996) Older people with learning difficulties leaving institutional care - A case of double jeopardy. AGEING SOC, 16, 125-150.
Walker A & Wong CK (1996) . Int J Health Serv, 26(1), 67-92.
Guillemard A-M, Taylor P & Walker A (1996) . The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, 21(4), 478-501.
Walker A, Tatara T & Redfoot D (1995) . Ageing International, 22(4), 59-65.
Walker A (1995) . Journal of Social Policy, 24(4), 575-577.
Taylor P & Walker A (1995) . Policy Studies, 16(3), 52-61.
Taylor P & Walker A (1995) . Policy Studies, 16(1), 4-13.
WALKER A (1995) THE FUTURE OF LONG-TERM-CARE IN CANADA - A BRITISH PERSPECTIVE. CAN J AGING, 14(2), 437-446.
Taylor PE & Walker A (1994) . Work, Employment and Society, 8(4), 569-591.
Walker A (1993) . Ageing International, 20(4), 7-14.
Taylor P & Walker A (1993) . Ageing International, 20(3), 36-40.
Walker A (1993) . J Aging Soc Policy, 5(1-2), 127-154.
WALKER A (1992) . Age and Ageing, 21(2), 151-152.
Walker A (1992) . Int J Health Serv, 22(1), 1-17.
WALKER A (1991) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FAMILY AND THE STATE IN THE CARE OF OLDER-PEOPLE. CAN J AGING, 10(2), 94-112.
Walker A (1990) . Ageing and Society, 10(4), 377-396.
Walker A (1987) . Ageing and Society, 7(2), 235-241.
Walker A (1987) . International Journal of Health Services, 17(3), 369-386.
Walker A (1984) . Critical Social Policy, 4(11), 103-110.
Walker A (1983) . Critical Social Policy, 3(8), 45-65.
Walker A (1983) . Ageing and Society, 3(3), 387-395.
Walker A (1982) . Ageing and Society, 2(1), 147-148.
Walker A (1982) . Sociology of Health and Illness, 4(2), 232-232.
Walker A (1982) . Social Policy & Administration, 16(2), 115-135.
WALKER A (1982) . The Political Quarterly, 53(1), 61-72.
Walker A (1981) . International Social Security Review, 34(3), 274-291.
Walker A (1981) . Ageing and Society, 1(1), 73-94.
Walker A (1981) . Sociology, 15(1), 134-136.
Walker A (1981) . Social Policy & Administration, 15(1), 54-71.
WALKER A (1981) . The Political Quarterly, 52(1), 74-87.
Walker A (1981) . Sociology, 15(2), 225-250.
WALKER A (1981) COMMUNITY CARE AND THE ELDERLY IN GREAT-BRITAIN - THEORY AND PRACTICE. INT J HEALTH SERV, 11(4), 541-557.
Walker A (1980) . British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 8(2), 212-223.
Walker A (1980) . Journal of Social Policy, 9(1), 49-75.
Walker A (1979) . Journal of Social Policy, 8(4), 575-576.
Walker A (1978) . Journal of Social Policy, 7(3), 383-384.
Walker A (1976) Public spending must not be made industry's scapegoat. Health and Social Service Journal, 84(4516), 2022-2024.
Zhu H & Walker A () . Ageing and Society, 1-27.
Zhu H & Walker A () . Asian Population Studies, 1-16.
Zhou J & Walker A () . Health & Social Care in the Community.
Walker A () . Estudos Interdisciplinares sobre o Envelhecimento, 8.
Walker C, Ryan T & Walker A () . Health & Social Care in the Community, 3(4), 249-260.

Chapters

Walker A (2024) South Yorkshire: The Economic and Social Impact of Unemployment, Unemployment (pp. 74-87).
Jensen PH, Hess WCFM, Holman D, Naegele G & Walker A (2024) , Rapidly Increasing Retirement Ages (pp. 16-39). Edward Elgar Publishing
Walker A (2024) , Dependency and Interdependency in Old Age: Theoretical Perspectives and Policy Alternatives (pp. 30-45).
Walker A (2022) , A Labour of Love (pp. 106-128). Routledge
Walker A (2021) The political economy of privatisation, Routledge Library Editions: Welfare and the State (pp. 19-44).
Zhu H & Walker A (2021) Population ageing and social policies in China: Challenges and opportunities, The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Studies (pp. 191-204).
Walker A (2021) Ageing sustainably, The Struggle for Social Sustainability: Moral Conflicts in Global Social Policy (pp. 155-175).
Walker A (2021) , Handbook of Active Ageing and Quality of Life (pp. 253-270). Springer International Publishing
Walker A (2020) , Alte und neue soziale Ungleichheiten bei Berufsaufgabe und Rentenübergang (pp. 245-250). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Walker A (2019) , The Cambridge Handbook of Successful Aging (pp. 557-569). Cambridge University Press
Walker A (2019) , Readings in the Political Economy of Aging (pp. 75-93). Routledge
Walker A (2019) , The Future of Ageing in Europe (pp. 1-28). Springer Singapore
Walker A & Zaidi A (2019) , The Future of Ageing in Europe (pp. 29-52). Springer Singapore
Walker A (2019) , The Future of Ageing in Europe (pp. 309-328). Springer Singapore
Walker A (2018) Ageing and social justice, Handbook on Global Social Justice (pp. 213-227).
Ebury K & Fraser JA (2018) In Ebury K & Fraser J (Ed.), Joyce’s Non-Fiction Writings: Outside His Jurisfiction (pp. 1-28). Palgrave Macmillan
Walker A (2018) Conclusion, The New Dynamics of Ageing (pp. 347-357).
Walker A (2017) Reforming pensions, Social Policy Reform in China: Views from Home and Abroad (pp. 143-154).
Corbett S & Walker A (2017) Putting 'the social' back into social policy, Building better societies: Promoting social justice in a world falling apart (pp. 111-124).
Walker A (2017) , New Dynamics in Old Age: Individual, Environmental and Societal Perspectives (pp. 307-324).
Walker AC (2016) Forward: A Good Death for All? In Foster L & Woodthorpe K (Ed.), Death and Social Policy in Challenging Times Springer
Walker A (2016) , Teilhabe im Alter gestalten (pp. 501-518). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Walker A (2016) , International Perspectives on Aging (pp. 47-64). Springer International Publishing
(2016) Springer International Publishing
Walker A (2015) Foreword (pp. viii-x).
Walker A (2015) AGEING THROUGH AUSTERITY Critical perspectives from Ireland Foreword, AGEING THROUGH AUSTERITY: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES FROM IRELAND (pp. VIII-X).
Walker A (2014) , The new science of ageing (pp. 240-260). Policy Press
Walker A (2014) Towards a new science of ageing, The New Science of Ageing (pp. 1-23).
Walker A & Aspalter C (2014) , Active Ageing in Asia (pp. 1-13).
Walker A (2014) COUNTRYSIDE CONNECTIONS Older people, community and place in rural Britain Foreword, COUNTRYSIDE CONNECTION: OLDER PEOPLE, COMMUNITY AND PLACE IN RURAL BRITAIN (pp. XV-XV).
Walker A (2014) A new policy perspective on ageing, NEW SCIENCE OF AGEING (pp. 241-259).
Walker A (2013) , Soziale Gerontologie in gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung (pp. 19-32). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Walker A & Walker C (2011) Conclusion: Building on the legacy of Peter Townsend, Fighting Poverty, Inequality and Injustice: A Manifesto Inspired by Peter Townsend (pp. 275-302).
Sinfield A, Walker A & Walker C (2011) The legacy of Peter Townsend, Fighting Poverty, Inequality and Injustice: A Manifesto Inspired by Peter Townsend (pp. 1-28).
Walker A, Sinfield A & Walker C (2011) FIGHTING POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND INJUSTICE A manifesto inspired by Peter Townsend Preface, FIGHTING POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND INJUSTICE: A MANIFESTO INSPIRED BY PETER TOWNSEND (pp. VIII-VIII).
Walker A (2009) Why is ageing so unequal?, Unequal Ageing: The Untold Story of Exclusion in Old Age (pp. 141-158).
Walker AC (2009) Ageing and Generational Politics In Flinders M, Gamble A, Hay C & Kenny M (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of British Politics (pp. 664-683). Oxford University Press
Walker AC (2009) Aging and Social Policy: Theorising the Social In Bengtson VL, Gans D, Putney N & Silverstein M (Ed.), Handbook of Theories of Aging (pp. 595-614). Springer Publishing Company
Walker A & Mollenkopf H (2007) , Social Indicators Research Series (pp. 3-13). Springer Netherlands
Mollenkopf H & Walker A (2007) , Social Indicators Research Series (pp. 235-248). Springer Netherlands
Walker A (2006) , Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences (pp. 339-359). Elsevier
Walker A (2006) , Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences (pp. 339-359).
Walker A (2006) AGEING EUROPE: CHALLENGES FOR POLICY AND RESEARCH, MANY FACES OF HEALTH, COMPETENCE AND WELL-BEING IN OLD AGE (pp. 233-244).
Walker A & Walker C (2005) Ageing, learning difficulties and maintaining independence, Understanding Care, Welfare and Community: A Reader (pp. 151-157).
Walker A (2005) In Coulson I & Minichiello V (Ed.), Contemporary Issues in Gerontology: Promoting Positive Ageing (pp. iii-vi). Taylor and Francis
Walker A (2005) , Health and Exclusion: Policy and Practice in Health Provision (pp. 159-179).
Walker A (2005) Which way for the European social model: Minimum standards or social quality?, The Changing Face of Welfare: Consequences and Outcomes from a Citizenship Perspective (pp. 33-54).
Walker A & Chack-Kie W (2005) Conclusion: From Confucianism to globalisation, East Asian Welfare Regimes in Transition: From Confucianism to Globalisation (pp. 213-224).
Walker A & Chack-Kie W (2005) Introduction: East Asian welfare regimes, East Asian Welfare Regimes in Transition: From Confucianism to Globalisation (pp. 3-20).
Walker A & Wong CK (2004) The ethnocentric construction of the welfare state, A Handbook of Comparative Social Policy (pp. 116-130).
Walker A & van der Maesen L (2004) , Social Indicators Research Series (pp. 13-31). Springer Netherlands
Walker A & Martimo K (2003) (pp. 49-72). Bristol University Press
Marshall VW & Walker A (1999) (pp. 17-23). Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Phillipson C & Walker A () , Social Gerontology (pp. 1-16). Taylor & Francis
Walker A () , A Labour of Love (pp. 106-128). Taylor & Francis
Walker A () , Countryside connections (pp. xv-xvi). Bristol University Press
Walker A & Wong C-K () (pp. 98-114). Edward Elgar Publishing
Walker A & Foster L () (pp. 27-52). Edward Elgar Publishing
Walker A & Wong C-K () (pp. 226-244). Edward Elgar Publishing
Naegele G & Walker A () , The SAGE Handbook of Workplace Learning (pp. 251-267). SAGE Publications Ltd
Walker A () , The SAGE Handbook of Social Gerontology (pp. 573-586). SAGE Publications Ltd
Walker A () Routledge
Naegele G & Walker A () , Ageing in Society: European Perspectives on Gerontology (pp. 142-166). SAGE Publications Ltd
Walker A & Foster L () , The Futures of Old Age (pp. 44-53). SAGE Publications Ltd
WALKER A () , The Many Faces of Health, Competence and Well-Being in Old Age (pp. 231-244). Kluwer Academic Publishers
Jefferys M () Routledge

Conference proceedings papers

Walker A (2019) (pp 233-247)
Taylor P & Walker A (2003) Age discrimination in the labour market and policy responses: The situation in the United Kingdom. GENEVA PAPERS ON RISK AND INSURANCE-ISSUES AND PRACTICE, Vol. 28(4) (pp 612-624)
Walker A (1998) . Australasian Journal on Ageing, Vol. 17 (pp 99-103)
WALKER AC (1993) THE EUROPEAN-COMMUNITY OBSERVATORY ON AGING AND OLDER-PEOPLE. RECENT ADVANCES IN AGING SCIENCE, VOLS I AND II (pp 1691-1696)

Preprints

Walker AC & Aspalter C () .

Research group

At the present time, Alan Walker's teaching concentrates on postgraduate research students. He is one of the UK's most experienced postgraduate research supervisors in the fields of sociology, social policy and social gerontology, with more than 60 successful PhD completion's (a 100% completion record).

He would welcome applications from potential postgraduates interested in any of the topics contained in his research section.

Doctoral Students Supervised:

Celia Briar, Women in State Employment Policy 1905-1986 (1986).
Tim Blackman, Social Indicators (1987).
Sammy Chiu, Family Care of Chinese Older People in Britain and Hong Kong (1988).
Simon Goodwin, Community Care: The Reforms of Mental Health Services (1988).
Steve Nesbitt, Social And Economic Determinants of British Pensions Policy (1991).
C K Wong, Ideology, Welfare Mix and the Production of Welfare (1991).
Monica Dowling, Social Work and Poverty, Attitudes and Actions (1993).
Tony Maltby, Women,Pensions and Social Dependency in Britain and Hungary 1945-1990 (1993).
Sandra Shaw, Women and Lone Parenthood (1994).
Wai-Kam (Sam) Yu, The Response of the Hong Kong Government to the Decommodifying Effects of Public Housing Services 1950 to 1990 (1994).
Victor Wong, The Politics of Medical Fees in Hong Kong (1995).
Chack Kwan Chan, Colonial Rule, Chinese Welfare Ideologies and the Reproduction of Social Policy -The Case of Social Security in Hong Kong (1996).
Fwu Yuan Weng, Post-war Education Policy in Taiwan (1996).
Chris Crowther, The 'Underclass' Debate: The Police Policy Process and the Social Construction of Order (1997).
Makoto Kono, The Welfare Mix in the Care of Older People in Japan (1997).
Ngai Ngan Pun, Youth Policy in China (1997).
Ian Brown, Community Participation and General Practice (1998).
Vashti Gosling, Services for People with Learning Difficulties (1999).
Ruby Chau, The Welfare Mix in Socialist China: A Case �鶹ֱ��app of Occupational Therapy Stations in Guangzhou (2000).
Alvin Kwok, Making Sense of Social Networks: Voices of Older Persons Living in Public Housing in Hong Kong (2000).
Karen Ling, Breaking the Silence: The Experiences of Disabled Women in a Chinese Culture (2000).
Tetsuo Ogawa, Decentralisation and Diversity in the Delivery of Social Care Services for Older People in Japan (2000).
Vincent Wijeysingha, Political Economy of State Social Policies in Singapore (2001).
Ping Kwong Kam, Powerlessness Among Older People in Hong Kong (2002).
Heung Sang Lam, Family Care for Older People in China (2002).
Sen Gong, The State and Pension Policy Instability in the People's Republic of China (2003).
Mark Li, Social Movements in Hong Kong from 1991 to 1997: Implications for Civil Society (2003).
Mike Williams, Public Participation, Influence and Democracy: A �鶹ֱ��app of the Sheffield Better Government for Older People Pilot (2003).
Victoria Gosling, Women's Experiences of Social Exclusion and Regeneration on a Sheffield Estate (2004).
Michiko Yamada, The Establishment of LTC Insurance and the Social Care Service System for Older People in Japan (2004).
Mohammed Al-Shabani, Active Ageing and Retiree Participation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2005).
Ying Hong, Business Ethics in Transitional China - the Case of Jiangsu Province (2006).
Liam Foster, Gender, the Life Course and Pension Provision in the United Kingdom (2006).
Jeeyeon Kim, Confucian Values, Patriarchy and Women’s Computer Mediated Communication (2006).
Jill Edwards, The Life Experience of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis (2007).
Alison Hill, Care in the Context of Later Life Marriages (2007).
Erica Uusitalo, Empirical Exploration of the Theory and Methods of Social Quality (2008).
Chang Lyal Fung, A Political Economy of Korean Pension Reform (2009).
Florence Fong, Intergenerational Relations and the Care of Older People in Hong Kong (2009).
Sarah Swann, A �鶹ֱ��app of Pupil Disaffection (2009).
Tony Song, A Political Economy of Civil Service Pension Reform in Korea (2010).Lei Jie, China’s Welfare Regime 1949-2011 (2011).
Franklen Choi, A Political Economy of Adult Vocational Education in Hong Kong (2012).
Byeong Hee Kwon, Active Ageing in South Korea (2013).
Steve Corbett, The Social Quality of Participatory Democracy (2014).
Albert Varela Montane, A Conceptual and Empirical Exploration of Social Exclusion (2014).
Sarah Alden, At the Coalface: the Role of the Street Level Bureaucrat in Provision of Statutory Services to Older People Affected by Homelessness (2015).
Natalija Jarosenko, In-Work Poverty In Lithuania: Causes And Consequences (2016).
Matthew Wargent, Democratic Participation and Agonism: Citizen Perspectives on Participatory Spaces Created Under the Localism Act 2011 (2017).
Ming-lun Chung, A �鶹ֱ��app of School Anti-Bullying Policy on Taiwan (2017).
Katey Twyford, People with Dementia Living in Extra Care Housing (2018).
George Pavlidis, Social and Behavioural Factors Associated with Cognitive and Functional Performance in Cognitively Health Adults (2018).
Tat Chor Au-Yeung, A Political Economy of In-work Benefits in Hong Kong (2018).
David Clayton, Loneliness and New Technologies in Later Life (2019).
Maryam Mortazavi Noogi, Informal Support for Older People in Iran (2019).
Min-a Jung, The Impact of the Minimum Wage on Older Workers in South Korea (2019).
Yang Luo, Social Insurance for Rural-Urban Migrant Workers in China (2020).
Nor Ardyanti Ahmad, The Political Economy of Public Participation in Rural Development in Malaysia (2021).
Louis Whitehead, The Role of Co-production in Combating Loneliness and Social Isolation in Later Life (2021).
Gbenga Shadare, Conditional Cash Transfers in Nigeria (2021).
Ka Man Lo, Lone Mother Families in Hong Kong (2021).
Sasipim Arampibulkit, Social Policy for Older Women in Thailand (2023).

M. Phils:

Susan Higham, Attitudes Towards the Receipt of Statutory Services: Older People and Professionals (1994).
Monika Husemann, 'Nobody Really Understands', Family Carers of People with Dementia (1999).
Neus Torres Tubau, Socio-demographic Change and the Care of Older People in Spain (2011).
Kyung Hun Kim, Poverty in Old Age in Korea (2014).

Current PhD topics include:

Older Nursing Home Residents in China
Mental health and Young People
Older Workers in Canada
Active Ageing in China
The Doctor-patient Relationship in China

Image of Alan's East Asian Doctoral Students, past and present in Hong Kong 2006.

Gathering of Alan's East Asian Doctoral Students, past and present in Hong Kong,16 November 2006. L to R, Back Row: Kam Ping Kwong, Tetsuo Ogawa, Edward Leung, Ngai Ngan Pun, Sam Yu, Alvin Kwok, Lam Heung Sang, William Wong, Simon Wu, Franklen Choi. Front Row: Victor Wong, C K Wong, Sammy Chiu, Carol Walker, Alan Walker, Karen Ngai, Ruby Chau.

Grants

1999-2004
- Sponsor: ESRC
2002-15 European Forum on Population Ageing Research
- Sponsor: European Commission
2004-12 European Research Area in Ageing (ERA-AGE)
- Sponsor: European Commission
2004-15
- Sponsor: ESRC, EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, AHRC
2009-11
- Sponsor: European Commission
2011-16 Social Innovation for Active and Healthy Ageing (SIforAGE)
- Sponsor: European Commission
2012-15
- Sponsor: European Commission
2013-17
- Sponsor: European Commission
2013
- Sponsor: European Science Foundation
2016-19 Inequalities in Extending Working Lives of an Ageing Workforce
- Sponsor: ESRC
2019-25 Extending Working Lives and Inequality
- Sponsor: Swedish Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare.
2022-24 Storying Life Courses for Intersectional Inclusion: Ethnicity and Well-being Across Time and Place.
- Sponsor: ESRC

Professional activities and memberships

Visiting Professorships in Canada (1988), China (Hong Kong) (1992, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2009), Israel (1988) and Japan (1994, 1995).
Founding Academician of the Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences, 1999.
Co-recipient of Queen's Prize for Higher and Further Education (for research on ageing) 2002.
Vincent Woo Distinguished Scholar, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, 2005.
Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, Baptist University of Hong Kong, 2006.
Lifetime Achievement Award, Social Policy Association, 2007.
First Outstanding Achievement Award, British Society of Gerontology, 2007.
First IAGG European Region Medal for Advances in Gerontology and Geriatrics in the Social and Behavioural Sciences, 2011.
Fellow of the British Academy, 2011.
First ESRC Impact Champion, 2013.
Appointed CBE for Services to Social Science, 2014.
Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (2016 –).
Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of Arts and Social Sciences, The Open University of Hong Kong, 2019-23.

‘In The News’

iNews, 24 June 2020.
NHS England blog, 12 June 2019.
LSE, British Politics and Policy, 4 June 2018.
Published episode of LSE IQ on ageing. You can listen to it in the following places (as well as itunes):
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NHS England blog, 6 November 2017.
“”
The Guardian On-Line, Thursday 5 May 2016.
The Daily Mail, 26 May 2014.
The Financial Times, 09 April 2014.
Active ageing research sets the global agenda
Sheffield University Website, 04 April 2014.
Published on The Conversation, 28 March 2014
Interview Lifetime achievers: Alan Walker
Policy World, Newsletter of the Social Policy Association, Winter 2007
Amelia Hill, culture and society correspondent, The Observer, Sunday 29 October, 2006
Putting ageing at the top of the political agenda
Malcolm Dean, The Edge, November 2005: Issue 20

Alan Walker shaking hands with the Queen having received the Third Queen's Anniversary Prize

Receiving the Queen's Anniversary prize 2002

Alan Walker having dinner with the Department of Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University during his time as a visiting professor

From the farewell dinner at the Happy Seafood Restaurant, Lei Yue Mun, Kowloon, with members of the Department of Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University during my period as a visiting professor, March 2009.

Partnerships, engagement and impact: Alan has been engaged in impact work arising from his research for more than three decades. International impact includes co-authorship of the WHO’s strategy on active ageing and the UN’s Madrid International Action Plan on Ageing, and contributions to numerous European Commission policy documents. UK impact includes Northern Ireland’s strategy on ageing, the UK Government 2005 ageing strategy, co-author of the 2016 Foresight report on the Future of an Ageing Population, and changes to UK policies on older workers in the 1980s. More recently he has been advisor to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Longevity. At local level he Chaired the Sheffield Fairness Commission 2012-13 and is currently chair of the South Yorkshire Mayor’s Health Equity Advisory Panel.

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Department of Sociological Studies

Department of Sociological Studies

Professor Alan Walker (he/him)

Research topics

Quality of later life

Developing multi-disciplinary research on ageing

Developing European collaboration in ageing research

Comparative research on social policy

Development and testing the concept of 'social quality'

Social gerontology

Age and employment

Chinese and East Asian welfare

Older people with learning difficulties/ intellectual disabilities and their carers

Social exclusion/ inclusion

Empowerment

Intergenerational relations

Books

Edited books

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

Preprints

Doctoral Students Supervised:

M. Phils:

Current PhD topics include:

‘In The News’

Links