Interdisciplinary Aging Studies: Rogue Scholarship
Welcome to my blog site where I am experimenting with a new format and venue to publish what I label “rogue scholarship” – in the domain of aging studies.
My name is Scott Wright and I am currently serving as Director of the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City) which is affiliated with the University of Utah Center on Aging. I have been a member of the faculty at the U of U for about 25 years. I have taught numerous courses on aging (undergraduate and graduate) and have a research interest in the effects of environmental hazards on vulnerable (at risk) older adults, and on the environmental impact of aging baby-boomers. I use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze spatial data and create graphical information on impact and risk. I have an established research record and have published many “traditional” research articles over the years in the academy.
But this blog site is not about the traditional format of scholarship and publishing in aging studies. Rather, my goal is to offer a complementary format to the traditional model of journal publishing and offer an alternative perspective on topics related to aging. It is “rogue” scholarship in the sense that it does not follow a preconceived format set by editors and publishing houses. This is not prescreened refereed material – nor has it been “approved” by any editorial board. Yet, I aspire to fully referenced topics and keep my eye on the prize of creating interesting and comprehensive postings.
My writing style is eclectic and moves about the landscape of knowledge by weaving in a vast array of interdisciplinary materials in the traditional literature, culture, society, and the media on the topic of aging. I do not offer any thesis, or hypotheses to test, or dust-bowl empiricism in these writings. I hope you will enjoy the journey with me as I investigate various topics on aging. The first installment will be on the intersect of “Time’s Arrow and Aging” and given the release of the movie, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in December 2008 (based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald), I thought this would be a good time to further examine the notion of reversing the aging process – among other related issues.
Please check in from time to time and see what is posted next.
The next posting will be on the topic of “Gardening and Aging.”
Thanks,
Scott D. Wright
Marcus Aurelius
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