How will the shortage of skilled workers develop? What role does lifelong learning play in this? How has the Corona pandemic changed the care sector? How are different generations affected by the lack of low-barrier housing? Do queer people age differently?

In cooperation with the Center for Higher Education (zhb) and the Department of Spatial Planning of TU Dortmund University, the Department of Social Sciences is launching the research training group "New challenges in aging societies", funded by the Hans-Böckler-Foundation. The program awards twelve scholarships to doctoral researchers studying the challenges of demographic change in times of multiple crises (climate, pandemics, wars) for individuals, families, and societies.

The group’s central guiding questions are: How can self-determined aging be made possible for all in central areas of life and over the entire life course? How can we ensure generationally appropriate social participation in aging societies?

These questions are addressed in eight thematic areas: "Gainful employment and social security", "Organization and social innovation", "Lifelong learning", "Family and reconciliation", "Health, care, and social support", "Housing and neighborhood development", "Social rights and justice" and "Inequality and living conditions".

The spokespersons of the research training group are Prof. Martina Brandt and Prof. Mona Motakef from the Department of Social Sciences. Dr. Alina Schmitz is responsible for the scientific coordination of the college. Further participating researchers include Prof. Nicole Burzan, Prof. Jürgen Howaldt (Social Research Center), Prof. Angelika Poferl and Prof. Monika Reichert, all from the Department of Social Sciences, as well as Prof. Susanne Frank from the Department of Spatial Planning and Prof. Uwe Wilkesmann from the Center for Higher Education (zhb).

Questions about the doctoral college should be sent to this e-mail address: promotionskolleg.fk17@tu-dortmund.de