We invite chapter proposals for “Aging and Society: A Multidisciplinary Approach,” a forthcoming volume in Edward Elgar Publishing’s “Multidisciplinary Movements in Research” series.

We welcome contributions that integrate insights from diverse disciplinary fields, including the social, health, and economic sciences, as well as the humanities, legal, and ethical studies. Submissions that present and create new connections between these areas are strongly encouraged. Of particular interest are works that incorporate critical theory, examine social and technological innovations, or offer global and comparative perspectives. The edited book aims to bring together cutting-edge studies that provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges and opportunities associated with population aging, as well as their impact on social, political, and economic life in the years to come.

Aims of the Volume
• Advance scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, moving beyond siloed research practices to answer the multidisciplinary needs of studies on aging populations and societies.
• Foster a holistic understanding of aging by synthesizing knowledge, social theory, and methodologies from diverse disciplinary fields, including the social, health, and economic sciences, as well as the humanities.
• Contribute to the development of more comprehensive and innovative policy solutions by presenting research with clear implications for public policies on aging and the welfare states.
• Catalyze novel theoretical perspectives and social innovations that address phenomena associated with population aging, such as ageism, diverse policy ideas and models of aging, and the development of the silver/longevity economy.
• Encourage critical interrogation of contemporary and future issues in aging, particularly inviting perspectives that examine the role of social structures, policy frameworks, and the potential for transformative social change in the context of sustainable development.

Topics of Interest
This volume offers a forward-looking, theoretically rich, and multidisciplinary perspective on the complex interplay between aging and society. It convenes scholarly contributions that focus on challenges and opportunities of population aging, exploring how integrated insights from diverse fields can foster innovative theoretical and practical responses. The volume is structured around three central themes. Suggested topics and illustrative examples include, but are not limited to:

Theme I. Theoretical Foundations
We welcome chapters that are grounded in established or emerging theoretical and critical perspectives. Contributions are expected to engage deeply with social theory. We particularly welcome chapters that offer novel theoretical approaches, potentially by integrating conceptual frameworks from different disciplines. The volume seeks to advance theoretical discourse by showing how multidisciplinary perspectives can generate new or refined conceptual lenses for understanding the relationship between aging and society. Submissions should aim to apply, critique, or extend theoretical frameworks, such as:
• The life course perspective
• The political economy of aging
• Critical gerontology
• Cumulative advantage, disadvantage, and inequality
• Feminist gerontology
• Social constructionism
• Science and technology studies in gerontology
• Network society theory and surveillance capitalism
• Theories of precarity and governmentality
• Risk society theory
• Posthumanism, new materialism, and gerontechnology (e.g., actor-network theory)
• Affect theory
• Decolonial theory
• Intersectionality-informed and human rights frameworks for aging

Theme II. Multidisciplinary Research on Aging and Society
This section invites empirical, methodological, or conceptual chapters that investigate key societal domains through the synthesis of diverse disciplinary knowledge. Submissions should demonstrate their multidisciplinary approach by, for example, employing mixed methodologies drawn from diverse traditions; analyzing data through multiple conceptual lenses; or addressing research questions that cannot be adequately answered from a single disciplinary viewpoint. We welcome contributions from across the social sciences, health sciences, economic and management studies, and humanities, legal, and ethical studies.
Examples of Substantive Research Areas:
• Age and ageism: Intersectional analyses of power, prejudice, discrimination, and societal attitudes.
• Economic dimensions: The silver/longevity economy, later-life work, retirement transitions, economic security, old age poverty, and inequalities.
• Health, well-being, and care: Active and healthy aging, mental health and social support, healthcare systems, long-term care management, and public health policy.
• Environments of aging: Age-friendly cities and communities, geographical gerontology, environmental gerontology, urbanization, housing, and mobility.
• Social and cultural life: Intergenerational relations and ambivalence, lifelong learning, creative aging, and the diverse and lived experiences of aging.
• Rights, law, and governance: Legal studies, human rights frameworks, elder advocacy, political demography, and the role of older persons in civil society.
• Global and comparative contexts: Aging in diverse international contexts, including migration, cross-cultural understandings of old age, transnational care dynamics, and comparative public policies.
Examples of Methodological Approaches and Innovations:
• Application of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs.
• Longitudinal research designs for studying aging processes.
• Interpretive, critical, and arts-based methodologies.
• Participatory Action Research, citizen science, co-design, and participatory evaluation methods.
• Critical policy analysis and evaluation.
• Development and validation of composite indicators for policy and practice.
• Intersectionality-sensitive data collection and analytical techniques.
• In-depth case studies and cross-cultural comparative research.

Theme III. Future Prospects
This theme focuses on emerging and transformative issues that are shaping the future of aging societies. We strongly encourage chapters that examine emerging trends and future directions in the study of aging. This includes a particular emphasis on contributions addressing technological innovations as well as those offering global or comparative perspectives. Examples of emerging multidisciplinary research fields:
• Social and technical innovations: The development, adoption, and socio-ethical implications of gerontechnology, smart solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and telehealth.
• Digital aging: The co-construction of digital aging and analyses of digital divides and inclusion.
• Algorithmic ageism: Critical examination and auditing methods for AI and algorithmic systems in care, employment, and public life.
• Emerging paradigms: Exploration of new ethical-political paradigms in social gerontology and future directions for policy and social innovation.
• Aging in the context of new interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary movements: such as New European Bauhaus, slow food movement, the Transition Network (transition towns), placemaking movement, Fab City Global Initiative, living labs, dementia-friendly communities movement, the co-production of care and support movement, the “encore” or purposeful aging movement, and the compassionate communities movement.
• Climate change and aging: Examining the heightened vulnerability of older adults to environmental hazards and developing age-inclusive policies for climate adaptation and resilience.
• Resource scarcity, resource allocation, and the circular economy: Investigating the allocation of finite public resources in aging societies, with a focus on the sustainability of healthcare and pension systems as well as intergenerational justice in the use of resources. Also, studies on the relations between aging and development concepts, such as degrowth, doughnut economics, well-being economy, and “buen vivir.”
• Sustainability and aging: Focus on the post-Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) after the year 2030 and their relations with population aging.

Submission Guidelines
• Prospective authors should first submit a chapter proposal (abstract) as detailed below. We particularly encourage proposals that demonstrate firm theoretical grounding and critical engagement with the multidisciplinary context.
• Following acceptance, complete chapters should adhere to the guidelines provided in the “Full Chapter Template” (to be supplied).
• Manuscripts should be circa 7,000 words, excluding references, tables, and figures (max 12,000 words per manuscript).
• All submissions must conform to the APA referencing style (7th edition).
• Submissions will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process.
• There are no submission or acceptance fees payable by authors for publication in this volume under the standard subscription model. Authors desiring Open Access publication will be subject to Edward Elgar Publishing’s standard article processing charges (APCs).
• Final chapter submissions must be accompanied by a signed “Contributor(s) Agreement(s)” (to be provided upon chapter acceptance).

Important Dates
• October 30, 2025: Proposal (Abstract) submission deadline
• November 7, 2025: Notification of acceptance
• March 6, 2026: Full chapter submission (adhered to the “Full Chapter Template”)
• April 10, 2026: Review results returned
• May 11, 2026: Final chapter submission (revised after reviews; return with the signed “Contributor(s) Agreement(s)”)
• Early 2027: Expected publication

Abstract Submission Details
Interested authors should submit a chapter proposal (Abstract) via e-mail to the Volume Editor (see contact information below) by October 30, 2025. The proposal should include:
• Author(s) contact details: Academic title(s), full name(s) (Name SURNAME), affiliation(s), city, country, e-mail address(es), and ORCID ID(s) for all authors.
• Corresponding author: Indicate only one person for contact.
• Proposed chapter title: A clear and concise title reflecting the chapter’s content.
• Abstract: Proposals should be no more than 150 words. They must detail the chapter’s main argument, its theoretical framework and contribution to the multidisciplinary study of aging, and its methodological approach (whether conceptual, theoretical, or empirical—qualitative, quantitative, or mixed). Please also outline the key expected findings or insights in the context of advancing a multidisciplinary understanding of aging.
• Relevant part of the volume: Write down to which theme the proposed article is related (I. Theoretical Foundations; II. Multidisciplinary Research on Aging and Society; or III. Future Prospects).
• Keywords: Capital Letters; Semi-colon Separating Each Word/Phrase; Maximum of Six Words.
• Publishing option: Indicate preference for standard subscription-based publishing (no author fee) or Open Access (subject to Edward Elgar Publishing APCs).
• Funding: Please describe whether the chapter draws upon research conducted as part of a specific funded project and acknowledge the funding source (if applicable).

Indexing
Upon publication, the book is expected to be submitted for indexing in major academic databases, including Web of Science (Book Citation Index), Scopus, and Google Scholar.

Target Audience and Impact
This volume is intended for an international audience of academics, postgraduate students (Masters and PhD level), policymakers, and practitioners across the diverse disciplines concerned with aging. It addresses scholars in the social, health, economic, and humanistic sciences. By synthesizing diverse perspectives, this volume aims to stimulate critical discussion, advance new research agendas, and inform policy and practice.

Contact Information
For inquiries regarding this call for chapters or the submission process, please get in touch with the Volume Editor: Andrzej Klimczuk, PhD, Assistant Professor at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Poland (klimczukandrzej@gmail.com or aklimcz@sgh.waw.pl).

We look forward to receiving your chapter proposals.