Rural Ageing Observatory

The Rural Ageing Observatory was formally established in 2010. The work of the Observatory is led by Professor Thomas Scharf, Director of ICSG, and supported by Professor Eamon O’Shea, ICSG.

The Observatory has the following vision:

To contribute scientific and practical awareness and understanding of the complex and interactive economic, social and health behaviours of rural older people in real-life contexts and to promote a social justice agenda for rural transformation that acknowledges the capabilities and diversity of rural people and rural environments

Strategic Goals of Rural Ageing Observatory

1. To provide knowledge, information and analysis on rural ageing that leads to improved quality of life for rural dwellers;
2. To consult older people directly and their stakeholder organisations on relevant issues through participatory research methodologies;
3. To establish new values for transformative social ageing in rural communities;
4. To establish the key characteristics of inclusion and exclusion experienced by older people in rural areas;
5. To determine the influence of life-course factors and/or the impact of age on advantage and disadvantage in later life;
6. To identify the nature, form and structure of capabilities and resilience within rural older people;
7. To influence local and national government on policy matters in relation to rural ageing.