The Center for Aging Families (CAF) presents this free, inaugural, annual conference that will convene center affiliates, Emerging Scholars and their mentors, and external speakers to engage on a topic that aligns with CAF research themes.
CAF is a tri-university collaboration of more than 50 affiliate scholars across social science and medical fields from The Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University (BGSU), and Purdue University. The center aims to deepen understanding of how family relationships shape the aging experience in the United States by combining disciplinary expertise to generate new scientific insights and expand research opportunities across institutions.
The conference, held on the Bowling Green State University campus, will promote innovative research and strengthen collaboration among CAF faculty affiliates. We encourage all CAF affiliates to join us in person, and we are pleased to cover travel expenses to support their participation. For those unable to attend on site, Zoom access will be available. Graduate students and external scholars are welcome to join the morning session via Zoom, and BGSU graduate students may participate in person.
Morning Session 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (open to all registrants)
- Welcome Remarks
- CAF Emerging Scholar Dr. Shiro Furuya (Purdue)
- CAF Emerging Scholar Dr. Lauren Newmyer (BGSU)
- Keynote Address by Dr. Lijun Song (Vanderbilt)
Afternoon Session 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (for BGSU/OSU/Purdue Faculty)
- Research Themes Luncheon
- Breakout Sessions
The keynote address will be given by Lijun Song. Dr. Song is an associate professor of sociology, MHS (Medicine, Health, and Society), and Asian studies, and directs the Social Networks and Inequalities Lab at Vanderbilt University. Her research investigates how societies produce and reproduce inequalities. Her core research interests include social networks, health, and social stratification (gender/sexuality, race/ethnicity, and class).