Thursday Three - 19 February 2026

 

  • Ageism: Gerontologists are not immune (World Day of Social Justice, 20th February)
  • Australasian Journal on Ageing (AJA): Our platform for global impact
  • LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) presents: Ageing in Difference 26, abstracts open!

 

Ageism: Gerontologists are not immune - World Day of Social Justice, 20th February

In a 2024 editorial in the Australasian Journal on Ageing, AAG member, Amanda Barusch wrote:

“…despite our specialised knowledge, those of us who work in the medical and allied medical professions may inadvertently foster ageist stereotypes…exposure to negative images of age can foster self- and other-directed ageism…those who work with frail older adults may come to see all older adults (including their future selves) as impaired. This may, at least in part, account for the high rates of ageism observed among nurses.”

This World day of Social Justice, we encourage everyone to take some time to reflect on your own attitude towards older people in your care and community. The below links and resources may assist on a journey to self-discovery, including Amanda’s full editorial:

Image of younger woman holding a yoga mat embracing an older woman with the caption: Ageism has no place in Aged Care with the AAG banksia logo

Australasian Journal on Ageing (AJA): Our platform for global impact

The Australasian Journal on Ageing (AJA) is a leading global voice for ageing research, published by Wiley for AJA Inc. and supported by AAG, the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine and COTA Australia. It connects evidence with action to influence policy and practice.

Member contributions—as authors, reviewers and editors—ensure the journal reflects the sector’s depth and diversity. Recent highlights include collaborations on special features such as the issue on creativity, the arts and ageing with AAG’s Creativity, Art, and Design Special Interest Group, and AJA Conversations, a podcast hosted by Professor Jed Montayre that brings published research to life across gerontology and geriatric medicine.

Together, these efforts ensure AJA tackles the clinical, social and policy issues that matter most, reaching an expanding global audience.

Read more from AAG Senior Policy and Research Officer, Andrea Petriwskyj, in this month’s AAG500 Blog.

Congratulations to AAG members Emily Moir, Debbie Pu, Moira Dunsmore, Guogui Huang and Karly Bartrim who recently joined the AJA Editorial Team as Associate Editors! A shout-out also to Mark Hughes, Amanda Barusch, Jane Fyfield, Ralph Hampson, Yvonne Wells, Kate Wang, Jane Sims, Mei Ling Lim, Vasi Naganathan, Stephen Neville, Rajna Ogrin, Emily Reeve, Rosemary Saunders, Joyce Siette, Janani Thillainadesan, Briony Dow, Leon Flicker, Justin Keogh, and Debra Waters, all of whom have served in Editorial roles, including Associate Editors. Special thanks to AAG Board member Keryn Curtis, who serves as AAG’s appointed Director on the AJA Inc Management Committee.

A female researcher sitting in a library writing with the caption: Communicating the best evidence to improve ageing and the lives of older people, with AAG and AJA logos

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) presents: Ageing in Difference 26 – abstracts open! 

National Convention Centre, Canberra

11th to 12th June 2026

Australia’s leading event on the health, wellbeing and inclusion of LGBTI older people, Ageing in Difference 26, unites LGBTI communities, aged care providers, policymakers and researchers to drive more inclusive systems of care.

The conference highlights what it means to age well in Australia, sharing lived experiences and showcasing strengths, aspirations and emerging best practice. Explore inclusive service design, workforce capability, policy reform and the social factors shaping healthy ageing—while celebrating the resilience and diversity of LGBTI older people and championing dignity, visibility and inclusion. Find out more, subscribe to updates and submit an abstract here.

Ageing in a Difference 26 banner with tagline: Creating inclusive futures for LGBTI people as we age, with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia logo

 

IAGG2026 in Amsterdam 5-8 July, early bird extended to 2nd March

 

Image to promote the 59th AAG Conference in Melbourne from 10 to 11 November 2026