We are approaching a watershed moment in human history. By 2030, the number of people over 65 will surpass the number of children under 15. By the time today's children reach old age, living to 100 will be commonplace. Rather than perceiving this as good news, most people respond to extended longevity with discussions about coping with or halting the aging process. Yet, to the extent that people arrive at old age mentally sharp, physically fit, and financially secure, long-lived societies will thrive. Laura Carstensen believes that among the most pressing needs of the modern world is the development of “longevity science.” Her talk focused on the ways science and technology offer alternatives to catastrophic predictions about societies that are overburdened by frail elders. She also discussed advances in science that can form the basis of a culture in which we improve quality of life at all ages.

LAURA L. CARSTENSEN

Professor of Psychology; Director, Stanford Center on Longevity; Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy

Laura Carstensen is founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and the former chair of the Psychology Department. She has published well over 100 scientific articles on life-span development. She is a distinguished member of the Association for Psychological Science, the American Psychological Association, and the Gerontological Society of America. The recipient of numerous professional awards and honors, she was selected as a Guggenheim Fellow in 2003. Carstensen received a PhD in clinical psychology from West Virginia University.

Date and Time: Thursday, August 13, 2009. 7:00 PM. Approximate duration of 1.5 hour(s).

Location: Lawn outside Cantor Arts Center [Map]

URL: http://csp.stanford.edu/publicprograms/event.php?eid=20084_EVT%20239

Audience: Faculty/Staff, Alumni/Friends, General Public, Students, Members

Category: Lectures/Readings

Sponsor: Continuing Studies

Contact: 725-2650, continuingstudies@stanford.edu

Admission: FREE; no registration required, Open to the public