Years in Social Care
50+
Major Publications
4
Ageing & Safeguarding Expert
UK
About Dr Eastman
Dr Mervyn Eastman is a distinguished expert in the field of social care, having spent decades operating at the intersection of frontline practice and national policy leadership. Throughout his career, he has been a relentless champion for the rights and dignity of older people, specialising in the critical areas of adult safeguarding and elder rights and protection in the UK.
Dr Eastman has held several high-profile leadership positions that have shaped the structure of UK ageing policy, including:
LATEST PUBLICATION
Dickens and His Older People
£10.99
FORMAT
DESCRIPTION
In this original and illuminating study, social gerontologist Dr Mervyn Eastman examines the older characters who populate the early novels of Charles Dickens. Drawing on a lifetime of professional experience in social care, ageing policy and adult safeguarding, Eastman explores how Dickens portrayed later life, dependency, dignity, fear, class and social value in the Victorian imagination.
The book asks a sharp and necessary question: was the young Dickens gerontophobic, or was he reflecting the unsettled ageism of his age?
MEDIA & PRESS KIT
DOWNLOAD PRESS KIT
Available for
Media interviews, Podcast discussions
Academic lectures, Conference appearances
Public policy panels, Literary discussions
Institutional collaborations
Publications
Dickens and His Older People
Old Age Abuse
Old Age Abuse: A New Perspective
Elder Abuse: Critical Issues in Policy and Practice
Featured Areas of Discussion
Adult Safeguarding, Elder Abuse & Protection
Ageing & Society, Literary Gerontology
Dickens & Older People, Social Care Reform
Dignity in Later Life, Ageism in Public Policy
Compassionate Ageism
Public & Advocacy Work
Dr Eastman’s public and advocacy work has been shaped by more than four decades of direct involvement with ageing, adult safeguarding, elder rights, social care reform, and later life representation across the United Kingdom.
His contribution has never been limited to writing or research alone. It has moved through frontline social work, senior policy leadership, national programme development, public education, professional training, community collaboration, and long-term campaigning for older people to be seen with dignity rather than dependency.
Through his previous work with Change AGEnts and his current work as co-founder and Director of the Later Life Audio and Radio Co-operative, Dr Eastman has helped bring older people’s lived experience into public debate and professional practice.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions about Dr Mervyn Eastman’s work on literary gerontology, adult safeguarding, dignity in ageing and public engagement.
Mostly Asked
What is Literary Gerontology, and why is it relevant to Social Care today?
Literary Gerontology explores how ageing and older people are portrayed in literature. It helps reveal how cultural attitudes continue to shape perceptions of ageing, dignity and social care today.
How does Dr Eastman’s research impact Adult Safeguarding?
Dr Eastman's research shows how ageist attitudes can influence care practice. Understanding these narratives helps professionals promote more respectful safeguarding.
What does “Dignity in Ageing” look like in practice?
Dignity in ageing means recognising every older person as an individual with rights, choice and purpose. It promotes respect, independence and participation rather than dependence.
Mostly Asked
Can the public engage with Dr Eastman’s work on social reform?
Absolutely. Through LLARC, his writing and public talks, Dr Eastman encourages discussion on ageing, social care and ageism, ensuring older people's voices are heard.