Prof Erica Borgstrom
@ericaborgstrom.bsky.social
Prof of Medical Anthropology, The Open University (UK)
Researches death, palliative and end of life care. Co-editor of Death and Culture book series. Director of the Centre for Open Thanatology
Researches death, palliative and end of life care. Co-editor of Death and Culture book series. Director of the Centre for Open Thanatology
Pinned
Great to see so many new people joining! I tend to post about palliative and end of life care research and death studies, sharing resources and publications, event links, etc. Anthropologists, by training, connecting within and beyond the discipline.
I recently got a mug from Academic Mug that says 'I should have said no'. Currently my favourite ❤️ I'd recommend the site if you're looking for an academia-related gift ahead of the holidays www.academicmug.com
Academic Mug
Mugs and more for all of the academic mugs in the world... because life in university and higher education needs more joy and laughter.
www.academicmug.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I recently got a mug from Academic Mug that says 'I should have said no'. Currently my favourite ❤️ I'd recommend the site if you're looking for an academia-related gift ahead of the holidays www.academicmug.com
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Did you know that @openuniversity.bsky.social currently works in over 150 prisons and supports around 2000 students a year in prison, secure units and under licence in the community?
Higher education changes lives. See more of the work The Open University are doing⬇️
www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/b...
Higher education changes lives. See more of the work The Open University are doing⬇️
www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/b...
The Open University
www.open.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Did you know that @openuniversity.bsky.social currently works in over 150 prisons and supports around 2000 students a year in prison, secure units and under licence in the community?
Higher education changes lives. See more of the work The Open University are doing⬇️
www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/b...
Higher education changes lives. See more of the work The Open University are doing⬇️
www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/b...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Our book Critical Approaches to death,dying and bereavement is part of the Routledge Black Friday Sale!
@ericaborgstrom.bsky.social 📚💙
www.routledge.com/Critical-App...
@ericaborgstrom.bsky.social 📚💙
www.routledge.com/Critical-App...
Critical Approaches to Death, Dying and Bereavement
This book is the first of its kind to examine key topics in death, dying, and bereavement through a critical lens, highlighting how the understanding and experience of death can vary considerably, bas...
www.routledge.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Our book Critical Approaches to death,dying and bereavement is part of the Routledge Black Friday Sale!
@ericaborgstrom.bsky.social 📚💙
www.routledge.com/Critical-App...
@ericaborgstrom.bsky.social 📚💙
www.routledge.com/Critical-App...
In Dumfries today, ready for our event discussing death and dying - looking forward to meeting others there later! Thanks to the OU in Scotland and the University of West Scotland for hosting it.
November 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM
In Dumfries today, ready for our event discussing death and dying - looking forward to meeting others there later! Thanks to the OU in Scotland and the University of West Scotland for hosting it.
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Do you teach about dying, death, grief, or end of life care? Need some free resources for your class or assignments? We've got lots of great short articles, animations, and interactives you could use on our Open Thanatology Hub on OpenLearn. www.open.edu/openlearn/he... #ThanatologyThursday
Open Thanatology Hub
Check out the FREE content from Open Thanatology, The Open University’s interdisciplinary research group for the study and education of death, dying, loss and grief.
www.open.edu
November 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Do you teach about dying, death, grief, or end of life care? Need some free resources for your class or assignments? We've got lots of great short articles, animations, and interactives you could use on our Open Thanatology Hub on OpenLearn. www.open.edu/openlearn/he... #ThanatologyThursday
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
A new Open University PhD studentship, inspired by the palliative and end of life care JLA Priorities and associated To Know Dying report, is available.
Interested? Contact Katie Davis - katie.davis@open.ac.uk
More details below👇
Interested? Contact Katie Davis - katie.davis@open.ac.uk
More details below👇
Interested in doing a funded PhD at the Open University? We have an opportunity to explore what dying well means to people living with dementia. Please see the link below for more information and don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss further! wels.open.ac.uk/sites/wels.o...
wels.open.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 10:14 AM
A new Open University PhD studentship, inspired by the palliative and end of life care JLA Priorities and associated To Know Dying report, is available.
Interested? Contact Katie Davis - katie.davis@open.ac.uk
More details below👇
Interested? Contact Katie Davis - katie.davis@open.ac.uk
More details below👇
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
📢 Reminder: Still time to register!
Join us for our webinar: Schools: Supporting Bereaved Students
🗓 Date: Friday 21st of November
🕒 Time: 12:30pm-2pm
👉 Register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/supporting-bereaved-children-an-open-evening-for-parents-carers-tickets-1794621403929?aff=bluesky
#BCAW2025
Join us for our webinar: Schools: Supporting Bereaved Students
🗓 Date: Friday 21st of November
🕒 Time: 12:30pm-2pm
👉 Register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/supporting-bereaved-children-an-open-evening-for-parents-carers-tickets-1794621403929?aff=bluesky
#BCAW2025
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
📢 Reminder: Still time to register!
Join us for our webinar: Schools: Supporting Bereaved Students
🗓 Date: Friday 21st of November
🕒 Time: 12:30pm-2pm
👉 Register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/supporting-bereaved-children-an-open-evening-for-parents-carers-tickets-1794621403929?aff=bluesky
#BCAW2025
Join us for our webinar: Schools: Supporting Bereaved Students
🗓 Date: Friday 21st of November
🕒 Time: 12:30pm-2pm
👉 Register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/supporting-bereaved-children-an-open-evening-for-parents-carers-tickets-1794621403929?aff=bluesky
#BCAW2025
Ah yes, thank you, pain, for being so intense today that I couldn't finish sentences mid-speech in meetings. Including when responding to direct, simple questions. Grateful for the patience of colleagues in those moments.
November 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Ah yes, thank you, pain, for being so intense today that I couldn't finish sentences mid-speech in meetings. Including when responding to direct, simple questions. Grateful for the patience of colleagues in those moments.
Gutted to be missing so many amazing papers and panels at #AAA2025, especially with the theme this year on ghosts and haunting. I've enjoyed reading through the programme abstracts today and reaching out to people about their work.
November 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Gutted to be missing so many amazing papers and panels at #AAA2025, especially with the theme this year on ghosts and haunting. I've enjoyed reading through the programme abstracts today and reaching out to people about their work.
Interested in doing a funded PhD at the Open University? We have an opportunity to explore what dying well means to people living with dementia. Please see the link below for more information and don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss further! wels.open.ac.uk/sites/wels.o...
wels.open.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Interested in doing a funded PhD at the Open University? We have an opportunity to explore what dying well means to people living with dementia. Please see the link below for more information and don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss further! wels.open.ac.uk/sites/wels.o...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
It's #ChildrensGriefAwarenessWeek. One of our members (Poppy) has co-authored a new book on this topic - Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom: Helping Children Process Death, Grief and Loss. www.amazon.co.uk/Supporting-B...
Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom: Helping Children Process Death, Grief and Loss: Amazon.co.uk: Palastanga, Emma L., Gibson, Poppy, Greenhalgh, Marie: 9781032874487: Books
Buy Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom: Helping Children Process Death, Grief and Loss 1 by Palastanga, Emma L., Gibson, Poppy, Greenhalgh, Marie (ISBN: 9781032874487) from Amazon's...
www.amazon.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
It's #ChildrensGriefAwarenessWeek. One of our members (Poppy) has co-authored a new book on this topic - Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom: Helping Children Process Death, Grief and Loss. www.amazon.co.uk/Supporting-B...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
The volunteers were at Parliament today to hear the government announce that our beautiful memorial is to be made permanent. It was an emotional day, as we have fought so long and hard to ensure that our beloved dead are not forgotten. We are grateful and happy. ❤️
November 13, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The volunteers were at Parliament today to hear the government announce that our beautiful memorial is to be made permanent. It was an emotional day, as we have fought so long and hard to ensure that our beloved dead are not forgotten. We are grateful and happy. ❤️
I should not be surprised that after a busy week I'm having a flare-up of pain, but still annoyed it has happened. Thankful today's work meetings are all online so I can sit more comfortably and not have to navigate commuting with pain.
November 14, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I should not be surprised that after a busy week I'm having a flare-up of pain, but still annoyed it has happened. Thankful today's work meetings are all online so I can sit more comfortably and not have to navigate commuting with pain.
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
We are now officially the Centre for Open Thanatology at The Open University!!!! Here are a few quotes from the recent announcement of our Centre status from @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social as shared within the Faculty (see thread)...
November 13, 2025 at 10:42 AM
We are now officially the Centre for Open Thanatology at The Open University!!!! Here are a few quotes from the recent announcement of our Centre status from @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social as shared within the Faculty (see thread)...
Considering using the book 'Critical Approaches to Death, Dying & Bereavement' in your course/teaching? You may be eligible for an inspection copy - www.routledge.com/textbooks/ev...
Routledge & CRC Press - Request Inspection Copy
Routledge & CRC Press - Request Inspection Copy
www.routledge.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Considering using the book 'Critical Approaches to Death, Dying & Bereavement' in your course/teaching? You may be eligible for an inspection copy - www.routledge.com/textbooks/ev...
New book coming from the Death and Culture series soon! I'd also recommend it to those who work with museums and/or private collections/archives.
Libraries, Archives and Collective Grief (2026) will be released with Bristol University Press. This volume explores the ways in which grief permeates collections, objects and stories within library settings.
@kpalex91.bsky.social
@kpalex91.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
New book coming from the Death and Culture series soon! I'd also recommend it to those who work with museums and/or private collections/archives.
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Interested in doing a PhD? The OU is currently advertising its Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships. Closing date is noon on Jan 7th 2026. Find out more: university.open.ac.uk/employment/g...
The Open University
Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership StudentshipsThe Open University Stipend: Approximately £20,780 per annum Closing Date: Midday – Wednesday 7th January 2026Interview date: Early February ...
university.open.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Interested in doing a PhD? The OU is currently advertising its Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships. Closing date is noon on Jan 7th 2026. Find out more: university.open.ac.uk/employment/g...
If you're local to Dumfries, join us on Nov 25th to discuss death and grief. Tickets are free but registration is required. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
Opening Conversations On Assisted Dying, Death and Grief
A joint Open University in Scotland and University of the West of Scotland event, where assisted dying, death and grief will be explored.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
If you're local to Dumfries, join us on Nov 25th to discuss death and grief. Tickets are free but registration is required. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Lovely review of the book @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social and I wrote 💙📚
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Critical approaches to death, dying, and bereavement
Published in Death Studies (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Lovely review of the book @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social and I wrote 💙📚
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Enabling parents to improve children’s services: Walking the Walk in Evelina London Children’s Hospital www.open.edu/openlearn/en... #ThanatologyThursday
Enabling parents to improve children’s services: Walking the Walk in Evelina London Children’s Hospital
Imagine you’re a parent and your child is dying or has died in a hospital. How could the hospital and staff best support you? Drawing on the insights of parents, Walking the Walk has adapted to ...
www.open.edu
October 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Enabling parents to improve children’s services: Walking the Walk in Evelina London Children’s Hospital www.open.edu/openlearn/en... #ThanatologyThursday
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
And if you want to find resources by Open Thanatology members, you can browse ORO and refine by 'Open Thanatology'
Why deposit your research in Open Research Online (ORO)?
✔️ Meet OU’s Code of Practice
✔️ Share work freely across the globe
✔️ Boost visibility, readership and citations.
Depositing isn’t just required - it maximises impact. Start today 👉 https://ow.ly/RyhE50XcXyy
#OpenAccessWeek
✔️ Meet OU’s Code of Practice
✔️ Share work freely across the globe
✔️ Boost visibility, readership and citations.
Depositing isn’t just required - it maximises impact. Start today 👉 https://ow.ly/RyhE50XcXyy
#OpenAccessWeek
October 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
And if you want to find resources by Open Thanatology members, you can browse ORO and refine by 'Open Thanatology'
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Still time to register for an in-person evening of conversation about death and dying in Dumfries on Nov 25th - looking forward to meeting some of you there! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
Opening Conversations On Assisted Dying, Death and Grief
A joint Open University in Scotland and University of the West of Scotland event, where assisted dying, death and grief will be explored.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Still time to register for an in-person evening of conversation about death and dying in Dumfries on Nov 25th - looking forward to meeting some of you there! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
New short article out now! -- Between life and death: what Halloween reveals about our fear of the afterlife -- www.open.edu/openlearn/he...
October 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
New short article out now! -- Between life and death: what Halloween reveals about our fear of the afterlife -- www.open.edu/openlearn/he...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Thrilled to say I'm a judge for the first ever Inspiring History Teaching Awards, in association with Historic Royal Palaces. Do you know a great history teacher in the UK who deserves to go down in history? Nominate them here bit.ly/42yhGZP
Inspiring History Teaching Awards
Created by Historic Royal Palaces, these awards celebrate teachers who make history exciting, inclusive and meaningful. We want to recognise the impact that great teachers can make by bringing the pas...
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Thrilled to say I'm a judge for the first ever Inspiring History Teaching Awards, in association with Historic Royal Palaces. Do you know a great history teacher in the UK who deserves to go down in history? Nominate them here bit.ly/42yhGZP