Start or end of life? Advancing the Sociology of Life, Death & Bereavement

Join us for the inaugural lecture of Professor Kate Reed, hosted by the University of Manchester's School of Social Science and Department of Sociology.

‘Life’ and ‘death’ affects us all. Drawing on groundbreaking research on reproductive loss, post-mortem and bereavement, Professor Reed will problematise the boundary between life and death, offering unique sociological insight into some of the most taboo and sensitive issues surrounding death and dying. The talk is open to all and will appeal to anyone with an interest in health and illness, life, death and bereavement.

The event will be hybrid, those attending online will be send a separate Zoom link closer to the event. Online attendees will be able to submit questions via the Zoom chat function and a member of staff will read them on your behalf.

The lecture will run for roughly 45 minutes followed by a Q&A and networking reception starting at 5pm.

About the speaker:

Kate Reed is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester. Her most recent book Understanding Baby Loss: The Sociology of Life, Death and Post-mortem (2023 Manchester University Press) won the Foundation of Sociology of Health and Illness book prize 2024. Kate also won the ESRC Outstanding Societal Impact Prize in 2019 for her collaborative research on baby loss and post-mortem. She is currently the primary investigator on a 3-year ESRC funded project Uncovering hidden inequality: developing new ways of doing death administration.

Planning your visit:

ACCESSIBILITY: Please contact soss.externalrelations@manchester.ac.uk should you have any access requirements. The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible toilet on all floors. Ambulant toilet facilities are located on the First and Second floors.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Please contact soss.externalrelations@manchester.ac.uk if you have any allergens or requirements.

IMAGE AND VIDEO CONSENT: There will be photographs/videos taken at the event. If you do not wish to be in any images, please make University staff aware at the event.

*Hosted by the University of Manchester School of Social Sciences*

*This event is free and open to the public*

Content Warning: Start or end of life? advancing the sociology of life, death and bereavement.

This inaugural lecture will explore issues related to life, death and dying and bereavement. It includes a focus on bereavement across the lifecourse. Specifically, the discussion will cover:

· Reproductive loss and post-mortem examination

· Experiences of caring for a terminally ill relative

· Experiences of navigating death administration after bereavement

· Experience of work after bereavement

We recognise that these topics may be distressing, particularly for those with lived experience of any of these issues. If you find the subject matter upsetting, we encourage you to engage with the lecture in a way that feels safe for you. You are welcome to step out at any point during the event if needed.

For those who may require support, for staff and students the university’s counselling service and student wellbeing teams (located in the Student Hubs within each school) are available to provide assistance.

You can also access external support services, such as:
CRUSE
The Compassionate Friends
The Lullaby Trust
The National Bereavement Service
Sands

This lecture seeks to shed light on these critical issues, fostering understanding and meaningful discussion, and also hope. We appreciate your engagement in this important conversation and encourage a respectful and supportive environment for all attendees.