Research Interests

• Application of intergroup threat theory and its role in ageism directed towards older adults, implications for society, community cohesion and intergenerational relations.
• Psychological and behavioural impact of ‘elder’ stereotypes on older adults, from competency beliefs to dependency beliefs in stereotype threat. 
• The impact of media images on age stereotypes, implications for marketing the new ‘Age’ charity.  
  
  
• The application and use of social psychology theory surrounding ageing research in the implementation of interventions and policy development.  Particular interests include issues surrounding age equality, the retirement age, competence beliefs, fear of crime, prejudice and discrimination as well as the use and influence of intergenerational contact.

Thesis Title

The social, psychological and behavioural consequences of ageism.  Implications for research and policy. 

Supervisor

Professor Dominic Abrams

Funding

ESRC CASE Studentship (1+3) With Age Concern England, now merged with Help the Aged

Publications

Abrams, D., Eilola, T. & Swift, H. (2009) Attitudes to Age in Britain 2004-08, Department of Work and Pensions, Research Report No. 599. Crown 2009.

Conference Presentations

Hannah Swift & Dominic Abrams, Boosting Older People’s Performance. Accepted Poster for the 11th Annual Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference 2010, Las Vegas.