Research activity

Since 2014, the Work and Retirement Research Group has developed an extensive programme of work to enhance academic research and public engagement on ageing, work and retirement through:

  • regular Work and Retirement Group meetings
  • supporting the development of original and innovative cross-disciplinary research projects
  • public events on ageing, work and retirement
  • publications
  • providing support for emerging researchers 

Events and symposia

The Work and Retirement Research Group is actively advancing the international debate on ageing, work and retirement through academic and public policy debate.

Past events: 

Date: Monday, 20 April 2015
Title: Work and Retirement in the European Union: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Supported by the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and MICRA
Guest speakers:  Prof. Chris Phillipson, Director of MICRA, Prof. Marcus Hasselhorn, Managing Director DIPF Institute, Germany (keynote) and Dr. Martin Hyde, Department of Sociology.
Panel Session: Profs. Hasselhorn, Phillipson, Chandola, Nazroo and Christopher Brooks, AgeUK.

Date: Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Title: Age Discrimination: A Human Rights Perspective
Guest speakers: Dr. Mark Butler, University of Lancaster: Objective Justification: Where are we?
Mr. Gary Lynch-Wood and Dr. Elaine Dewhurst, University of Manchester: Age Discrimination in Work and Retirement

Current research projects

Research on age discrimination in employment

Project lead Elaine Dewhurst (School of Law) analyses European Union law, as well as the laws of various EU Member States, in relation to the prohibition on age discrimination in employment. In particular, it examines three stages of employment:

  • Access to Employment: analyses the law relating to accessibility and recruitment practices in employment in the European Union. The project will examine the existing legal regimes, the policy justifications for such laws and the impact of such laws on individuals seeking access to employment. Recommendations for amendments to the existing laws are made where considered necessary.
  • Discrimination in Employment: analyses the law relating to the prohibition on age discrimination in employment. It examines existing employment law practices, the justifications for such practices and the obstacles caused by such practices to ensuring full equality within employment. Recommendations for amendments to the existing laws are considered.
  • Termination of Employment: analyses the law relating specifically to mandatory retirement practices, the policy justifications for such laws and the impact of such laws on individuals. Recommendations for appropriate amendments to, or alternative interpretations of, the law are also considered.

For further information email: elaine.dewhurst@manchester.ac.uk