Although much has been researched about ageism in recent years, the reality is that we still need to know more about its causes, effects, and strategies to reduce it. How do we accelerate knowledge production on ageism towards providing more people around the world with the tools to effectively combat it?
Liat Ayalon is a leading scientist in the field of behavioural and social gerontology who has worked to influence academics, civil society leaders, and policy makers around the world with her research work on ageism. Though she herself has contributed substantially to the academic literature on the phenomenon, what particularly sets her apart is the establishment of an extensive European network of researchers and policy stakeholders in the field of ageism numbering more than 200 members (EuroAgeism). Not only has a new community of knowledge producers on ageism been produced through this work, but Liat Ayalon’s efforts have ensured that this community is keenly aware of the need to translate research into concrete policy solutions by promoting a multi-sectoral mix of members from the very beginning.
The impacts of the network are extensive and inspiring. The work produced by the network have been taken up by major policy institutes around the world including by the United Nations, and new territories for research and policy are only just beginning to emerge. Each member of this network is an advocate and ambassador for the importance of evidence-based action to combat ageism, and the ripples that Liat Ayalon has generated through her innovative community-buliding efforts promise to be extensive and wide reaching.