LC475: A Commentary on Alan Walker's Impact on Policy Context

This report provides a detailed analysis of Alan Walker's contribution to policy development, focusing on his expertise in social policy and social gerontology. It explores his contributions to the field through his research, publications, and supervision of doctoral students. The report examines the research methods he employs, primarily qualitative, and evaluates their appropriateness for studying social science and human relations. The conclusion assesses Walker's overall impact on policy and understanding, highlighting his work on ageing, social quality, and inequality. It also suggests that incorporating more quantitative research could further enhance the effectiveness of his contributions. Desklib offers similar solved assignments and study resources for students.

Policy Context

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Area of Expertised:......................................................................................................................3
Contribution:................................................................................................................................3
Research method..........................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
The report provides information about social policies used for purpose of researches.
Alan Walker is the professor of Social Policy and Social Gerontology at University of Sheffield.
He was also the director of UK national collaboration on Ageing Research and other European
research projects and visiting professor at open universities of many countries. He was the
research director of the social sciences faculty. The report covers the expertised area, his
contribution and research methods used for researches.
MAIN BODY
Area of Expertised:
Alan Walker, the director of New Dynamics of Ageing Programme is expertised in doing
social analysis, making social policy and social planning. Specialist in social gerontology and
responsible for developing the concept of social quality. Researching and writing related to
ageing and social policy for more than 40 years and published more than 30 books, 200
reports and more than 300 journals in more than 20 languages (Professor Alan Walker, 2021).
Also developed the road map for future of research. Awarded by British society and social policy
association for achievements in social sciences (Alan Walker, 2021). For all study and writings
Alan was awarded from all over the world.
Contribution:
Alan Walker has contributed by supervising 50 doctoral students. From which many are
the senior academic people in different countries (PROFESSOR ALAN C WALKER CBE, 2019).
Worked as director of many research programmes like ESRC's Growing Older Programme and
the new Dynamics of Ageing programme which helped in shaping the research agenda on ageing
(Walker, 2018). He had made following contributions:
It worked as academician in political, economy of ageing and social construction of
ageing theories. Likewise, it contributed by invention of social quality theory and did the
research on employer's attitude towards older workers and people who have learning disabilities.
In the same way by taking part in association between the extent of inequality of social science
and happening of other social problems it contributed a lot. These problems can be related to
infant to mental ill health people.

Taken part in discussion related to elevation of individualism in political, social and
cultural activities and found that together they have power to destroy essential institutions like
welfare state. Alan Walker contributed as part of research program on extending quality life. The
objective of programme was to establish a broad based multidisciplinary and coordinated
programmes to generate new ideas for extension of quality life. It also contributed in making
policy and practices extending quality life. Part of research in explaining quality of life consist of
inequalities, technology and family supports.
Part of NCAR to stimulate multi-disciplinary research in the field of ageing. He created a
cross research council approach to encourage links between research and policy and practices in
ageing field. Also, developed the ageing research in UK. Alan Walker also developed the testing
concept of social quality to show the importance of social policy in Europe. Likewise, it worked
on social gerontology to cover the theoretical work on the social construction of old age and
relationship between ageing and society, Alan Walker also contributed in research of age and
employment. The research covers the impact of ageing workforce in labour market. It shows the
policies made for older workers, responses they get and practices by companies on employment
of old workers.
Alan was responsible for first European research on overcoming age barriers and
developing the good practices on age and employment. Part of research on difficulties faced by
older people in learning new skills and starting of new careers. The research covers the problems
the older people face during health and social services like their rights, involvement in other
activities and problem of career choosing. Alan contributed by doing research on social quality
related to poverty and its impact on inequality among society.
Alan Walker contributed on the empowerment in Europe. The research includes the
citizen knowledge for generating ideas related to empowerment and mechanisms used in
decision-making and research purposes. Similarly, by doing research related to people interest on
relation between the generation including social life and families, Alan contributed a lot. Alan
wrote many books related to ageing in Europe, new development in ageing and society changes
in terms of people poverty and fight from poverty to make balance in environment. Books on old
age and discriminates they face. And the future of old age in Europe. He has also written on East
Asian welfare regimes that are affecting globalization. It also contributed by writing journals on
society, medical and political world and its impact on citizens of Europe.

Research method
It refers to the method which is being adopted with regard to the conduction of study and
research. There are generally two methods by which the study is conducted including
quantitative and qualitative. Under quantitative methods study of numerical and statistical data is
included (Apuke, 2017). While in case of qualitative research deep and detail study is conducted
with the inculcation of non-numeric data and contain (Brannen, 2017). With regard to the study
conducted by Alan Walker there is an inculcation of both the quantitative and qualitative
research. However, a major focus is being lied over the qualitative research. As qualitative
research is categorized by the keen and in-depth analysis and evaluation of the research aspects
which is usually seen in the research articles and studies of Alan Walker. However, in certain
studies quantitative methods is being chosen by Alan Walker so that the facts and figures would
be adequately evaluated. This means that both the methods of research are being adopted by
Alan Walker in its studies and research.
It is to be noted that as the research and study of Alan Walker is mainly concerned with
social science and human relation with associated problems. Since, the main and concerning
element is concerned with the human resources and dealing so it can be better evaluated and
analysed with the adoption of qualitative research method. In the same way as Alan Walker also
perform study on social gerontology under which relation of society and ageing people was
determined which again need an adoption of qualitative method so that detail analysis and study
regarding the aspect would be able to perform. It would also not be wrong to said that the
adoption of research method and performance of study of Alan Walker was in complimentary to
each other that itself raise the outcome and efficiency of the research. This is the reason by which
Alan Walker has adopted the qualitative method with regard to its research. In addition, of this it
is also to be noted that while making an analysis of the human relation and problem there is a
need of deep research which is possible only in case of qualitative research. This would also be
considered as a major reason with the adoption of qualitative research method.
In short, it would be right to said that due to the conduction of study and research in
association with social science and human relation and to make deep analysis of their behaviour
and study, qualitative method is being chosen by Alan Walker.

CONCLUSION
As the main policy for which Alan Walker was working is associated with the study of
early ageing and social innovations for the early ageing people and in context of this study and
research adopted methods and the contribution of Alan Walker was counted as adequate and
appropriate. Since Alan Walker has made a major contribution with its studies and research on
the aspect of social science and human relation so it would be right to conclude that it as
adequately and fully directed towards its goal. Right from the selection of appropriate research
method including qualitative research for deep study till making contribution in terms of
evaluation of books and articles and study on the aspect of human relation was proves to be
beneficial and appropriate with regard to Alan Walker policy and aim.
In the same way it is also understood that adoption of methods and conduction of
research in the field of social sciences and human problems would be counted as right with
respect to its policy. This is because these are counted as small but major steps which are being
taken by Alan Walker with respect to its studies. Also the work which could either be dealing
with doctoral students or the invention of social theory would also be taken as right moves with
respect to its main policy. Likewise, the working over the social gerontology also proves to a
great and useful aspect with respect to determine and pursue the study of early ageing and social
innovation with respect to age people.
However, this contribution would be more effective when apart from qualitative,
quantitative research would be more focussed under which some facts and figures depicting the
results of the research would be inculcated. This would lead to raise more efficient moves and
action towards the direction of its main policy. However, it would be right to conclude that the
contribution in terms of conduction of associated studies with respect to social science and early
ageing would be treated as right and most adequate contribution of Alan Walker towards its main
policy and aim. This would be considered and counted as major and important aspect wit regard
to its main study.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Apuke, O.D., 2017. Quantitative research methods: A synopsis approach. Kuwait Chapter of
Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review. 33(5471). pp.1-8.
Brannen, J. ed., 2017. Mixing methods: Qualitative and quantitative research. Routledge.
Walker, A. ed., 2018. The future of ageing in Europe: Making an asset of longevity. Springer.
Online references
Alan Walker, 2021. [Online]. Available through <https://esrc.ukri.org/about-us/50-years-of-
esrc/outlook-at-50/alan-walker/>
PROFESSOR ALAN C WALKER CBE, 2019. [Online]. Available through <https://appg-
longevity.org/bio-professor-alan-c-walker-cbe>
Professor Alan Walker, 2021. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/socstudies/people/academic-staff/alan-walker>
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