Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
People are living longer across the world. But experiences of ageing are shaped by our environment, culture and society from the moment we’re born. Join us for a day of panel discussions exploring how greater longevity is playing out in societies today, and how they can adapt to ensure we all age better.
You’ll hear a range of perspectives on ageing, and engage with artists, campaigners and researchers involved in the ‘The Coming of Age’ exhibition, its accompanying book and beyond. The symposium will be chaired by Professor Pragya Agarwal.
Agenda:
Time: 11:00 – 11:15
Welcome and Curator’s Introduction
Shamita Sharmacharja, curator of ‘The Coming of Age’, opens the symposium.
Time: 11:15 – 12:45
Event Title: Ageing Better
We’re surrounded by different perspectives and stereotypes about getting older.
But what does it mean to live longer in the UK today, and what needs to change so we can all age better?
Researcher Martina Zimmermann, clinical academic Daniel Davis and The Centre for Ageing Better discuss ageism, the social determinants of health, and widening health and wealth gaps in later life.
Time: 14:00 – 14:30
Event title: Joyful Ageing
In this keynote, author and artist Karen Arthur reflects on joyful ageing in a world that often expects women to shrink and become invisible. She explores clothing as a way to support mental wellbeing, as well as thriving through menopause and the gift of growing older.
Time: 16:15 – 17:45
Event title: Ageing Inequities
Artist and academic Kit Green, disability researcher Tom Shakespeare and palliative medicine consultant Jamilla Hussain discuss how inequity shapes experiences of ageing for queer, disabled and racially minoritised communities. The conversation explores lived experiences of health inequity and the cumulative effects of ageing and discrimination.
Time: 17:45 – 18:00
Closing remarks
Chair Pragya Agarwal closes the symposium.
Need to know:
This event will be live-transcribed, and British Sign Language interpreted.
The image:
Uncertain Futures: 100 Women, 2022. Suzanne Lacy, with Ruth Edson. Photographed on the evening of the 100 women dinner by Andrew Brooks, 2022. Courtesy of the artist
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/wellcomecollection
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/explorewellcome
See us on Instagram: instagram.com/wellcomecollection
People are living longer across the world. But experiences of ageing are shaped by our environment, culture and society from the moment we’re born. Join us for a day of panel discussions exploring how greater longevity is playing out in societies today, and how they can adapt to ensure we all age better.
You’ll hear a range of perspectives on ageing, and engage with artists, campaigners and researchers involved in the ‘The Coming of Age’ exhibition, its accompanying book and beyond. The symposium will be chaired by Professor Pragya Agarwal.
Agenda:
Time: 11:00 – 11:15
Welcome and Curator’s Introduction
Shamita Sharmacharja, curator of ‘The Coming of Age’, opens the symposium.
Time: 11:15 – 12:45
Event Title: Ageing Better
We’re surrounded by different perspectives and stereotypes about getting older.
But what does it mean to live longer in the UK today, and what needs to change so we can all age better?
Researcher Martina Zimmermann, clinical academic Daniel Davis and The Centre for Ageing Better discuss ageism, the social determinants of health, and widening health and wealth gaps in later life.
Time: 14:00 – 14:30
Event title: Joyful Ageing
In this keynote, author and artist Karen Arthur reflects on joyful ageing in a world that often expects women to shrink and become invisible. She explores clothing as a way to support mental wellbeing, as well as thriving through menopause and the gift of growing older.
Time: 16:15 – 17:45
Event title: Ageing Inequities
Artist and academic Kit Green, disability researcher Tom Shakespeare and palliative medicine consultant Jamilla Hussain discuss how inequity shapes experiences of ageing for queer, disabled and racially minoritised communities. The conversation explores lived experiences of health inequity and the cumulative effects of ageing and discrimination.
Time: 17:45 – 18:00
Closing remarks
Chair Pragya Agarwal closes the symposium.
Need to know:
This event will be live-transcribed, and British Sign Language interpreted.
The image:
Uncertain Futures: 100 Women, 2022. Suzanne Lacy, with Ruth Edson. Photographed on the evening of the 100 women dinner by Andrew Brooks, 2022. Courtesy of the artist
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/wellcomecollection
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/explorewellcome
See us on Instagram: instagram.com/wellcomecollection
