Boden, Anna, PhD Student

By Malena Gustavson on 20 Jul | 0 comments

Anna Boden, PhD student in the Geography Department at Lancaster University, UK, and supervised by Colin Pooley.

CURRENT RESEARCH
My current PhD research aims to explore the epistemological and methodological merits of the recently re-conceptualised notion of intergenerationality in human geography and its contribution to developing more nuanced understandings of men’s performance and construction of masculinities throughout the lifecourse.  Using a qualitative approach including interviews, focus groups and observation I am sampling men who define themselves in the generational and gendered familial signifiers of son, father and grandfather to develop a more sophisticated and dynamic account of men’s practices, lived realities and multiple identities.  Identity signifiers of difference including age, generation and masculinity are key aspects of the research as it is investigating the role of space in facilitating intergenerational relationships for men.

GEXCEL RESEARCH
During my GEXcel fellowship starting the 15ht November until  19th December, I hope to contribute to the theme of Deconstructing the Hegemony of Men and Masculinities: Contradictions of Absence by exploring in more depth the performative role of grandfathering and the insights it can provide into men’s generational power in the family as they age.  The experiences and meanings of old age, particularly for men remain surprisingly under researched.   I plan to contribute to the GEXcel seminars workshop, with a presentation entitled “Older men and ageing: gendered performance, intersectionality and identity”.  Here I will discuss my current research progress and present interview data collected before arrival in Sweden which examines how age and masculinity intersect to develop often contradictory male identities in the context of family relationships. My main contribution would be to deconstruct the patriarchal role of grandfathering and to develop old age masculinities into a more explicit and valuable arena of theoretical study about older men, for older men.