Thomas Scharf

Personal Professor of Social Gerontology B.A., Ph.D.

Contact Details

Personal Professor of Social Gerontology
IRISH CENTRE FOR SOCIAL
GERONTOLOGY
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
NUI GALWAY

E: thomas.scharf@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

Tom Scharf is Professor of Social Gerontology and Director of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at NUI Galway, Ireland. With a first degree in German and Politics from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a doctorate in political science from Aston University, his research encompasses the fields of social gerontology and social policy. Tom moved to NUI Galway in 2010 having previously been Director of the Centre for Social Gerontology, Keele University, UK. Tom was elected to the UK Academy of Social Sciences in 2009 in recognition of his work on ageing. He is a Visiting Professor at Keele University and has recently held professorial fellowships at the University of Vienna and the University of Manchester.

At NUI Galway, Tom is leading a major programme of work addressing issues relating to ageing in rural communities. He is also engaged in a variety of projects on issues relating to poverty in later life, aspects of intergenerational solidarity, and the experiences of people ageing in disadvantaged communities. With colleagues from the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, the Community Knowledge Initiative, the Health Economics and Policy Analysis group and a range of other groups, Tom is also playing a key role in shaping the development of NUI Galway’s new Institute for Lifecourse and Society.

Selected Publications:

Burholt, V., Scharf, T. & Walsh, K. (2013) Imagery and imaginary of islander identity: older people and migration in Irish small-island communities, Journal of Rural Studies (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2013.01.007 [article]

Liddle, J., Scharf, T., Bartlam, B., Bernard, M. & Sim, J. (2013) Exploring the age-friendliness of purpose-built retirement communities: evidence from England, Ageing & Society (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X13000366
 [article]

Scharf, T. & Keating, N. (eds) (2012) From exclusion to inclusion in old age: a global challenge, Bristol: Policy Press (http://www.policypress.co.uk/display.asp?ISB=9781847427724&) [edited book]

Buffel, T., Phillipson, C. & Scharf, T. (2012) Ageing in urban environments: developing ‘age-friendly’ cities, Critical Social Policy (DOI 10.1177/0261018311430457) [article]
 

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2012) 'Ageing in urban environments: Developing 'age-friendly' cities'
Buffel, T,Phillipson, C,Scharf, T (2012) 'Ageing in urban environments: Developing 'age-friendly' cities'. Critical Social Policy, 32 :597-617 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Then and now: evolving community in the context of a retirement village'
Bernard, M,Liddle, J,Bartlam, B,Scharf, T,Sim, J (2012) 'Then and now: evolving community in the context of a retirement village'. Ageing & Society, 32 (1):103-129 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Intergenerational Solidarity and Justice in Ireland: Toward a New National Dialogue'
Timonen, Virpi and Scharf, Thomas and Conlon, Catherine and Carney, Gemma (2012) 'Intergenerational Solidarity and Justice in Ireland: Toward a New National Dialogue'. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 10 (3):317-321 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Exploring community perceptions of the relationship between age and social exclusion in rural areas'
O’Shea, E., Wash, K., Scharf, T. (2012) 'Exploring community perceptions of the relationship between age and social exclusion in rural areas'. Quality In Ageing, 13 (1):16-26 [Details]
(2012) 'Ageing in changing community contexts: cross-border perspectives from rural Ireland and Northern Ireland'
Walsh, K., O’Shea, E. & Scharf, T. (2012) 'Ageing in changing community contexts: cross-border perspectives from rural Ireland and Northern Ireland'. Journal Of Rural Studies, 28 (4):347-357 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) 'Home from home? A mixed-methods study of relocation within a purpose-built retirement community'
Sim, J., Bartlam, B., Bernard, M., Liddle, J. & Scharf, T. (2012) 'Home from home? A mixed-methods study of relocation within a purpose-built retirement community'. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 26 (4a) [DOI] [Details]
(2008) 'Loneliness in urban neighbourhoods: an Anglo-Dutch comparison'
DE JONG GIERVELD, J (2008) 'Loneliness in urban neighbourhoods: an Anglo-Dutch comparison'. European Journal of Ageing, 5 (2):103-115 [Details]
(2005) 'Social exclusion of older people in deprived urban communities of England'
PHILLIPSON, C & SMITH, AE (2005) 'Social exclusion of older people in deprived urban communities of England'. European Journal of Ageing, 2 (2):76-87 [Details]
(2005) 'Rural and urban perspectives on growing old: developing a new research agenda'
PHILLIPSON, C (2005) 'Rural and urban perspectives on growing old: developing a new research agenda'. European Journal of Ageing, 2 (2):67-75 [Details]
(2004) 'Determinants of quality of life amongst older people in deprived neighbourhoods'
SMITH, AE, SIM, J, PHILLIPSON, C (2004) 'Determinants of quality of life amongst older people in deprived neighbourhoods'. Ageing and Society, 24 (5):793-814 [Details]
(2003) 'Older people's perceptions of the neighbourhood: Evidence from socially deprived urban areas'
PHILLIPSON, C & SMITH, AE (2003) 'Older people's perceptions of the neighbourhood: Evidence from socially deprived urban areas'. Sociological Research Online, 8 (4) [Details]
(2002) 'Older people in deprived areas: perceptions of the neighbourhood'
PHILLIPSON, C, SMITH, AE & KINGSTON, P (2002) 'Older people in deprived areas: perceptions of the neighbourhood'. Quality in Ageing, 3 (2):11-21 [Details]
(2001) 'Ageing and intergenerational relationships in rural Germany'
Scharf, T. (2001) 'Ageing and intergenerational relationships in rural Germany'. Ageing and Society, 21 (5):547-566 [Details]
(2001) 'Soziale Integration und Partizipation älterer Menschen in ländlichen Räumen Europas'
WENGER, GC, THISSEN, F & BURHOLT, V (2001) 'Soziale Integration und Partizipation älterer Menschen in ländlichen Räumen Europas'. Sozialer Fortschritt, 50 :208-213 [Details]
(2001) 'Social gerontology in Germany: historical trends and recent developments'
Scharf, T. (2001) 'Social gerontology in Germany: historical trends and recent developments'. Ageing and Society, 21 (4):489-505 [Details]
(2000) 'Cross-national empirical research in gerontology: The OPERA experience'
WENGER, GC (2000) 'Cross-national empirical research in gerontology: The OPERA experience'. Education and Ageing, 15 (3):379-397 [Details]
(2000) 'Social exclusion and ageing'
PHILLIPSON, C, KINGSTON, P & SMITH, AE (2000) 'Social exclusion and ageing'. Education and Ageing, 16 (3):303-320 [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2006) Rural Disadvantage: Quality of life and disadvantage amongst older people - a pilot study.
BARTLAM, B (2006) Rural Disadvantage: Quality of life and disadvantage amongst older people - a pilot study. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2006) Necessities of Life: Older People’s Experiences of Poverty.
BARTLAM, B., HISLOP, J., BERNARD, M., DUNNING, A. & SIM, J. (2006) Necessities of Life: Older People’s Experiences of Poverty. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2005) Multiple Exclusion and Quality of Life amongst Excluded Older People in Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods.
PHILLIPSON, C. & SMITH, A.E (2005) Multiple Exclusion and Quality of Life amongst Excluded Older People in Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2004) The Impact of Government Policy on Social Exclusion of Older People: A Review of the Literature (.
PHILLIPSON, C (2004) The Impact of Government Policy on Social Exclusion of Older People: A Review of the Literature (. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2002) Growing Older in Socially Deprived Areas: Social Exclusion in Later Life.
PHILLIPSON, C., SMITH, A.E. & KINGSTON, P (2002) Growing Older in Socially Deprived Areas: Social Exclusion in Later Life. [ARAN Link] [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2012) 'Revisiting social exclusion of older adults'
Keating, N. & Scharf, T. (2012) 'Revisiting social exclusion of older adults' In: From exclusion to inclusion in old age: a global challenge. Bristol: Policy Press. [Details]
(2012) 'Social exclusion in later life: a global challenge'
Scharf, T. & Keating, N. (2012) 'Social exclusion in later life: a global challenge' In: From exclusion to inclusion in old age: a global challenge. Bristol: Policy Press. [Details]
(2010) 'Social inclusion: research and evidence-based practice'
Shepherd, G, Parsonage, M (2010) 'Social inclusion: research and evidence-based practice' In: Social Inclusion and Mental Health. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists. [Details]
(2010) 'Social policies for ageing societies: perspectives from Europe'
Scharf, T. (2010) 'Social policies for ageing societies: perspectives from Europe' In: Handbook of Social Gerontology. C Phillipson & D Dannefer: New York/London: Sage. [Details]
(2009) 'Too tight to mention: unequal income in older age'
in: P CANN & M DEAN (eds) (2009) 'Too tight to mention: unequal income in older age' In: Unequal Ageing: The untold story of exclusion in old age. P CANN & M DEAN: Bristol: Policy Press. [Details]
(2008) 'Ageing and social exclusion in rural communities'
BARTLAM, B (2008) 'Ageing and social exclusion in rural communities' In: Rural Ageing: A Good Place to Grow Old?. N KEATING: Bristol: Policy Press. [Details]
(2007) 'Aging in a difficult place: assessing the impact of urban deprivation on older people'
PHILLIPSON, C & SMITH, AE (2007) 'Aging in a difficult place: assessing the impact of urban deprivation on older people' In: New Dynamics in Old Age: Individual, Environmental and Societal Perspectives. Amityville, NY, Baywood. [Details]
(2007) 'Critical perspectives on ageing societies'
BERNARD, M (2007) 'Critical perspectives on ageing societies' In: Critical Perspectives on Ageing Societies. M BERNARD & T SCHARF, T: Bristol: Policy Press. [Details]
(2005) 'Getting out and about'
HOLLAND, C, KELLAHER, L, PEACE, S, SCHARF, T, BREEZE, E, GOW, J & GILHOOLY, M (2005) 'Getting out and about' In: Understanding Quality of Life in Old Age. Maidenhead, Open University Press. [Details]
(2005) 'Poverty and social exclusion: Experiences of older people from black and ethnic minority groups in deprived areas'
PHILLIPSON, C & SMITH, AE (2005) 'Poverty and social exclusion: Experiences of older people from black and ethnic minority groups in deprived areas' In: Growing Older in a Black and Minority Ethnic Group. London, Age Concern England. [Details]
(2005) 'Older people in rural Europe: a comparative analysis'
WENGER, GC, THISSEN, F & BURHOLT, V (2005) 'Older people in rural Europe: a comparative analysis' In: Winning and Losing: The Changing Geography of Europe's Rural Areas. D SCHMIED: Aldershot, Ashgate. [Details]
(2005) 'Recruiting older research participants: lessons from deprived neighbourhoods'
Scharf, T. (2005) 'Recruiting older research participants: lessons from deprived neighbourhoods' In: Recruitment and Sampling: Qualitative Research with Older People. London, Centre for Policy on Ageing. [Details]
(2005) 'Social isolation and loneliness'
VICTOR, CR (2005) 'Social isolation and loneliness' In: Understanding Quality of Life in Old Age. Maidenhead, Open University Press. [Details]
(2004) 'Poverty and social exclusion - growing older in deprived urban neighbourhoods'
PHILLIPSON, C & SMITH, AE (2004) 'Poverty and social exclusion - growing older in deprived urban neighbourhoods' In: Growing Older - Quality of Life in Old Age. Maidenhead, Open University Press. [Details]
(2004) 'Older people in urban neighbourhoods: addressing the risk of social exclusion in later life'
SMITH, AE (2004) 'Older people in urban neighbourhoods: addressing the risk of social exclusion in later life' In: Social Networks and Social Exclusion. C PHILLIPSON, G ALLAN & D MORGAN: Aldershot, Ashgate. [Details]
(2001) 'Sozialpolitik in Großbritannien: Vom Armengesetz zum “Dritten Weg”'
Scharf, T. (2001) 'Sozialpolitik in Großbritannien: Vom Armengesetz zum “Dritten Weg”' In: Sozialstaat in Europa Geschichte, Entwicklung, Perspektiven. Opladen, Westdeutscher Verlag. [Details]
(2001) 'Zwischen Margaret Thatcher und New Labour” - Zur Entwicklung der britischen Alterssozialpolitik seit 1990'
Scharf, T. (2001) 'Zwischen Margaret Thatcher und New Labour” - Zur Entwicklung der britischen Alterssozialpolitik seit 1990' In: Ein Europa der Generationen - grenzenlos aber mit verschiedenen Geschwindigkeiten?. Freudenstadt, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Fritz-Erler-Akademie. [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2010) Older people in rural communities: exploring attachment, contribution and diversity in rural Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Walsh, K., Connolly, S., Gavin, M., Maguire, C., McDonagh, J., Murray, M., O’Shea, E. & Scharf, T. (2010) Older people in rural communities: exploring attachment, contribution and diversity in rural Ireland and Northern Ireland. Healthy Ageing in Rural Communities (HARC) Research Network, Galway. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) Deprivation and its measurement in later life: findings from a mixed-methods study in Ireland.
Walsh, K. Scharf, T. Cullinan, J. & Finn, C. (2012) Deprivation and its measurement in later life: findings from a mixed-methods study in Ireland. Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Galway. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) An overview of intergenerational programmes in Ireland.
Finn, C. & Scharf, T. (2012) An overview of intergenerational programmes in Ireland. Age Action Ireland, Dublin. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) Intergenerational programmes in Ireland: An initial overview.
Finn, C., Scharf, T. (2012) Intergenerational programmes in Ireland: An initial overview. Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, NUI Galway, Galway. [Details]
(2012) Social Exclusion and Ageing in Diverse Rural Communities: Findings from a cross-border study in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Walsh, K., O’Shea, E., Scharf, T. (2012) Social Exclusion and Ageing in Diverse Rural Communities: Findings from a cross-border study in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Galway. [ARAN Link] [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
(2012)
T. Scharf & N. Keating (Ed.). (2012) From Exclusion to Inclusion in Old Age: A Global Challenge. Bristol: Policy Press. [Details]
(2007)
M. Bernard & T. Scharf (Ed.). (2007) Critical Perspectives on Ageing Societies. Bristol: Policy Press. [Details]

Abstract

  Year Publication
(2010) AGE RELATIONS IN LATE LIFE: RECONSIDERING DISCURSIVE DIFFERENCES.
Scharf, T,Ziegler, F,Beech, R,Maslin-Prothero, S,Murray, M,Bailey, J,Crummett, A,Middling, S (2010) AGE RELATIONS IN LATE LIFE: RECONSIDERING DISCURSIVE DIFFERENCES. Abstract [Details]
(2010) RELOCATION WITHIN AN ENGLISH RETIREMENT COMMUNITY: REMAKING PLACE DURING A TIME OF CHANGE.
Scharf, T,Sim, J,Bartlam, B,Bernard, M,Liddle, J (2010) RELOCATION WITHIN AN ENGLISH RETIREMENT COMMUNITY: REMAKING PLACE DURING A TIME OF CHANGE. Abstract [Details]
(2010) FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION? CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH WITH OLDER PEOPLE.
Scharf, T,Ziegler, F,Beech, R,Maslin-Prothero, S,Murray, M,Bailey, J,Crummett, A,Middling, S (2010) FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION? CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH WITH OLDER PEOPLE. Abstract [Details]

Other Item

  Year Publication
(2010) Older People in Rural Communities: Exploring attachment, contribution and diversity in rural Ireland and Northern Ireland.. Funded by Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland.
walsh, K., O'Shea, E., Scharf, T., Connolly, S., Maguire, C., Murray, M., Gavin, K. & McDonagh, J. (2010) Older People in Rural Communities: Exploring attachment, contribution and diversity in rural Ireland and Northern Ireland.. Funded by Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland. Other Item [ARAN Link] [Details]

Non Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2011) Loneliness: an urban perspective. Age Concern Oxfordshire (Ed) Safeguarding the Convoy: A Call to Action from the Campaign to End Loneliness.
Scharf, T. (2011) Loneliness: an urban perspective. Age Concern Oxfordshire (Ed) Safeguarding the Convoy: A Call to Action from the Campaign to End Loneliness. Non Published Reports [Details]
(2010) Envejecer en zonas dificiles: perspective desde Inglaterra. Barcelona Metrópoli.
Scharf, T. (2010) Envejecer en zonas dificiles: perspective desde Inglaterra. Barcelona Metrópoli. Non Published Reports [Details]

Teaching Interests

Teaching areas

Diploma in Social Gerontology

MA in Lifecourse Studies

PhD supervision in the area of social gerontology