Optentia Research Programme 05
Ageing and Generational Dynamics
Exploring ageing across the life course and the relationships, care systems and social conditions connecting generations in Africa.
Programme focus
Ageing. Care. Citizenship.
Research on family relationships, generational inclusion and formal and informal systems of care.
About the programme
How do generations live, care and belong together?
This programme explores ageing across the life course and its effects on relationships within and between generations at family and societal levels.
Grounded in Africa's diverse realities, the research examines how ageing and intergenerational relationships are understood and experienced. It also studies contemporary health and social care where informal family and community support intersects with formal care systems.
A further focus is the inclusion and exclusion of generations in families, communities and broader social systems, including how older people negotiate survival, participation and citizenship.
01
Relationships
Study ageing and relationships within families and across generations.
02
Care
Examine the meeting point between informal support and formal health and social care.
03
Belonging
Investigate inclusion, exclusion, survival and citizenship across generations.
Programme leadership
Leadership and research
Photo to come
Photo to come
Extended expertise
Extraordinary professors
Photo to come
Prof Isabella Aboderin
Photo to come
Prof Andries Baart
Photo to come
Prof Doris Bohman
Photo to come
Prof Norah Keating
Photo to come
Prof Anne Magriet Pot
Photo to come
Prof Kirti Ranchod
Photo to come
Prof Johan Strijdom
Photo to come
Prof Rayne Stroebel
Developing researchers
Postgraduate students
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
Programme outputs
Research in action
Publications
Recent scholarship
A curated selection of recent programme publications will be added here, with links to the journal or NWU repository.
Projects
Current research and impact
Programme projects will be presented through their context, participants, activities, findings and contribution to policy or practice.
Connect with the programme
Interested in ageing and generational research?
Contact the programme leader about research alignment, collaboration or postgraduate study.