NDA team

Professor Alan Walker

Programme director

Dr Alan Walker is Professor of Social Policy and Social Gerontology at the University of Sheffield, UK. He has been researching and writing on aspects of ageing and social policy for over 30 years. He is currently Director of the European Research Area in Ageing.

Previously, he directed the UK Growing Older Programme and the European Forum on Population Ageing. He also chaired the European Observatory on Ageing and Older People.

He has published more than 20 books, 200 reports and 300 scientific papers. Recent books include Growing Older - Extending Quality Life (2004), Growing Older in Europe (2004) and Understanding Quality of Life in Old Age (2005), all published by McGraw Hill, and Quality of Life in Old Age (2007 with Heidrun Mollenkopf), published by Springer.

In 2007 he was given Lifetime Achievement Awards by both the Social Policy Association and the British Society of Gerontology.

Alan's staff profile at the University of Sheffield.

Sarah Howson

Administrator of NDA Programme and Secretary to Professor Alan Walker

Sarah was part of the NDA team from October 2010 as maternity cover for Karen Tsui. She had previously worked on a research project focussing on using evidence-informed practice to promote better outcomes for children and their families. Sarah was the Events Administrator there for eight years and ran numerous workshops, conferences and events.

Prior to this, she worked for an event management company specialising in event management and exhibitions. She has a BA (Hons) degree in Tourism and Recreation Management.

Sarah managed the day-to-day activities of the NDA Programme and contributed to its strategic development. She ensured the budget constraints were met and financial records were accurate. She liaised with a wide range of personnel and developed marketing materials. She also acted as the director's secretary covering all aspects of his portfolio.

Email: s.f.howson@sheffield.ac.uk

About the NDA programme