This proposal is directly relevant to DIAL call theme 4 (labour market participation in later life and retirement), as analysed from the perspective of DIAL call theme 3 (labour market and family trajectories and the growth of inequalities). The aim is to investigate the gendered impacts of policies aimed at extending working life (EWL) in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, using a mixed methods research design, based on insights from life-course and gender studies. The project has 5 objectives, each addressed though a dedicated work package: 1) to analyse EWL policies from a gender-sensitive perspective, assessing tensions between “active aging” and gender equality goals, at the national and international level; 2) to trace intra-national continuities and change in gendered employment and family formation patterns over time, using existing panel data sets and sequence analysis techniques; 3) to assess the current working conditions of the 50+ group, across countries and occupations; 4) to explore the wellbeing and health issues faced by male and female 50+ workers in 3 contrasting occupations (health, transport, financial services), using innovative case-study methods to illustrate the combined effect of employment histories, family life events and intergenerational care services on the dynamics of inequality in later life; 5) to consult stakeholders and disseminate findings to policy makers, via gender-sensitive policy toolkits. All co-applicants will contribute equally to each work package. Expected outcomes include: innovative analytical framework; new research instruments; working papers and referred journal articles; dedicated databank; innovative policy toolkit.

Facing the challenges of climate change adaptation, TRANS-ADAPT aims to analyse and evaluate the multiple use of flood alleviation schemes with respect to social transformation in communities exposed to flood hazards. The overall goals are (1) to identify indicators and parameters necessary for strategies to increase societal resilience, (2) to analyse the institutional settings needed for societal transformation, and (3) to assess the perspectives of changing divisions of responsibilities between public and private actors necessary to arrive at more resilient societies. Yet each risk mitigation measure is built on a narrative of exchanges and relations between people and therefore may condition the outputs. As such, governance is done by people interacting and defining risk mitigation measures as well as climate change adaptation are therefore simultaneously both outcomes of, and productive to, public and private responsibilities. Building off current knowledge this project will focus on different dimensions of adaptation and mitigation strategies based on social, economic and institutional incentives and settings, centring on the linkages between these different dimensions and complementing existing flood risk governance arrangements. The policy dimension of adaptation, predominantly decisions on the societal admissible level of vulnerability and risk, will be evaluated by a human-environment interaction approach using multiple methods and the assessment of social capacities of stakeholders across scales. As such, the challenges of adaptation to flood risk will be tackled by converting scientific frameworks into practical assessment and policy advice. In addressing the relationship between these dimensions of adaptation on different temporal and spatial scales, this project is both scientifically innovative and policy relevant, thereby supporting climate policy needs in Europe towards a concept of risk governance.

This proposal is directly relevant to DIAL call theme 4 (labour market participation in later life and retirement), as analysed from the perspective of DIAL call theme 3 (labour market and family trajectories and the growth of inequalities). The aim is to investigate the gendered impacts of policies aimed at extending working life (EWL) in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, using a mixed methods research design, based on insights from life-course and gender studies. The project has 5 objectives, each addressed though a dedicated work package: 1) to analyse EWL policies from a gender-sensitive perspective, assessing tensions between “active aging” and gender equality goals, at the national and international level; 2) to trace intra-national continuities and change in gendered employment and family formation patterns over time, using existing panel data sets and sequence analysis techniques; 3) to assess the current working conditions of the 50+ group, across countries and occupations; 4) to explore the wellbeing and health issues faced by male and female 50+ workers in 3 contrasting occupations (health, transport, financial services), using innovative case-study methods to illustrate the combined effect of employment histories, family life events and intergenerational care services on the dynamics of inequality in later life; 5) to consult stakeholders and disseminate findings to policy makers, via gender-sensitive policy toolkits. All co-applicants will contribute equally to each work package. Expected outcomes include: innovative analytical framework; new research instruments; working papers and referred journal articles; dedicated databank; innovative policy toolkit.