The Centre for Death & Society (CDAS) is a world-leading, interdisciplinary death studies research centre and a global community of academics at all stage of their careers.
This year, to mark 20 years of being at the forefront of our field, we are hosting a packed schedule of events. We’d love you to celebrate with us.
Our events will reflect what has happened during CDAS's time, while also looking ahead towards the future. The year will culminate with the annual CDAS conference.
All events are open to anyone to attend. Some details (such as dates, times and locations) are not yet confirmed - please check this page regularly for updates.
In November, we'll explore what a death studies perspective can bring to discussions of contemporary social issues, like climate change, through a week-long series of events. This includes the University Minerva lecture which explores non-human loss.
On 13 November 2024, Join our panel as they discuss the experience and impact of ecological and environmental loss at our 'Ecological Loss and Grieving the non-human' online talk.
On 19 November 2024, Dr Renske Visser and her co-author, the lead of Open Thanatology, Professor Erica Borgstrom, will lead an hour of candid conversation. They will discuss their new book, the challenges they faced in writing it, and where they see the field of death studies heading.
As we welcome the New Year, the focus of the celebrations shifts from looking back to looking ahead to what the future of death studies may hold.
On 13 February 2025, we discuss two forthcoming mortality articles on decolonising death. This event is co-hosted with the Centre for Decolonising Knowledge in Teaching, Research and Practice (DECkNO)
On 27 February 2025, former CDAS director Dr John Troyer will host a panel discussion on how contemporary death studies may marginalise certain ways of knowing about death.
On 12 March 2025, a panel discussion examines questions of dealing with mass death by contrasting the examples of famine and plane crashes.
The year of celebration will culminate in June (exact date TBC) with our annual CDAS conference.
The theme for 2025 is ‘Death Studies: Now and Next’. We will welcome abstract submissions (details of how to get involved will be added to this page).
Catch up on events from the CDAS@20 year so far.
On 25 September 2024, CDAS directors past and present discussed the evolution of death studies over our 20-year history. With special appearances from Prof Tony Walter and Prof Allan Kellehear, this event (called 'CDAS@20 growing a community') reflects on key topics, themes and events in recent memory.
On 10 October 2024, panellists from across the globe explored the question of ‘which deaths count?’ and discussed how death is impacted by issues in social (in)justice.
If you're a researcher examining topics related to death and dying, then you can create a formal link with us.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your involvement with CDAS, consider applying for a Visiting Fellowship. You’ll benefit from:
Explore CDAS's research and news
Find out moreIf you have questions about any of our events, or wider CDAS research, please contact us.