Aging Studies
Interdisciplinary Graduate Group
Who we are
Vision/Our Goal
We want to offer a forum where graduate students and professionals from different disciplines and perspectives can examine ideas and develop new skills for working together on issues related to aging.
Description
The Aging Studies Interdisciplinary Graduate Group (ASIGG) promotes the development of critical engagement with a variety of social, policy, health and other complex problems related to aging. ASIGG explores diverse approaches to knowledge and inquiry across disciplines in gerontology.
The group has two primary goals:
- To encourage more thoughtful discussions about how to approach issues around aging and explore what is meant by evidence. We will explore different theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, and changing conceptualizations of “evidence and knowledge” in the field of aging.
- To provide concrete opportunities for graduate students to hone research and professional skills to launch successful careers related to aging. The group thus focuses on both the theoretical and the pragmatic aspects of gerontology with an emphasis on fostering interdisciplinary communication and collaboration.
Graduate students and faculty will actively discuss issues related to gerontological research and policy from a variety of perspectives. Some background reading will be necessary but we will keep the load light. This gathering is an opportunity to explore concepts not usually taught in courses, such as how different disciplines interpret evidence and what constitutes theory in aging.
Group activities include an interdisciplinary research competition, student research showcase, help with preparing a CV, designing posters, submitting abstracts and journal articles, and giving effective presentations, including job talks, and job interviewing. We also provide group members with opportunities for peer-review of manuscripts and grant applications.
Our goal is to help graduate students contribute best to the interdisciplinary field of aging.
Who should join?
Graduate students who want to:
- Learn more about aging and to think more deeply about issues
- Sharpen their skills in writing and presenting information
- Understand better how different disciplines approach aging issues
- Work with colleagues in other disciplines
What will you get?
- Insights into thinking about aging issues
- Sharper presentation and communication skills
- Opportunities to present research ideas
Leadership
The primary contact for this group is Joseph Gaugler (School of Nursing; gaug0015@umn.edu).
