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.
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Looking to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship? Want to work with others interested in death, dying, loss or bereavement? Get in touch! The Centre for Open Thanatology is growing its postdoc membership. Let us know what funding & topic you are interested in. Email: Open-Thanatology-Admin@open.ac.uk
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Looking to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship? Want to work with others interested in death, dying, loss or bereavement? Get in touch! The Centre for Open Thanatology is growing its postdoc membership. Let us know what funding & topic you are interested in. Email: Open-Thanatology-Admin@open.ac.uk
One of my roles at The Open University (OU) involves working on co-productions with the BBC. I love it! vimeo.com/1163280559?f...
OU BBC Trail 2026
This is "OU BBC Trail 2026" by Broadcast & Partnerships on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:14 PM
One of my roles at The Open University (OU) involves working on co-productions with the BBC. I love it! vimeo.com/1163280559?f...
I just backed The Midnight Moth, an illustrated picture book by DEAD GOOD on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/dea...
The Midnight Moth, an illustrated picture book by DEAD GOOD
A magical story for children & adults about love, loss and a light in the darkness. Written and illustrated by Lindsey Vigurs
www.kickstarter.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I just backed The Midnight Moth, an illustrated picture book by DEAD GOOD on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/dea...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Submission to open panels—Extended deadline for 4S Toronto 2026!
Call closes Feb 9th 2026. You can submit here: www.xcdsystem.com/4sonline/abs...
Call closes Feb 9th 2026. You can submit here: www.xcdsystem.com/4sonline/abs...
February 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Submission to open panels—Extended deadline for 4S Toronto 2026!
Call closes Feb 9th 2026. You can submit here: www.xcdsystem.com/4sonline/abs...
Call closes Feb 9th 2026. You can submit here: www.xcdsystem.com/4sonline/abs...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
As part of making changes to the nursing teaching, The Open University is inviting people with experience of using the UK health system to share their views over the next few months. More info and who to contact: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Letter EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – NURSING PROGRAMME 27.01.2026
The Open University Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA 27th January 2026 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – NURSING PROGRAMME ...
docs.google.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:31 PM
As part of making changes to the nursing teaching, The Open University is inviting people with experience of using the UK health system to share their views over the next few months. More info and who to contact: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
As an immigrant in the UK and as someone with family in Minnesota, people's recent conversations with me about what's happening try to imply it could not happen in the UK, and that they feel helpless about it. Instead of disbelief, what are you trying or willing to do to ensure it doesn't happen?
The UK version of “Project 2025” by the Reform party includes a British ICE, a concentration camp for 24,000 people, mass surveillance and withdrawing from refugee, anti-torture and anti-trafficking conventions.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
January 27, 2026 at 9:17 AM
As an immigrant in the UK and as someone with family in Minnesota, people's recent conversations with me about what's happening try to imply it could not happen in the UK, and that they feel helpless about it. Instead of disbelief, what are you trying or willing to do to ensure it doesn't happen?
Examples of this can be seen in the singing resistance groups, the art (and businesses enabling people to produce resistance artworks), community mutal aid (donate if you can!), the social networks people are building and intensifying, people-led education (about rights, solidarity, care).
But when I asked an organizer what they wanted to see out of press coverage, they told me they wanted people to see the beautiful things they are building here, and not just the worst stories of the worst of ICE's crimes.
What people are doing here is beautiful. It's a tragic beauty, but a real one
What people are doing here is beautiful. It's a tragic beauty, but a real one
January 22, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Examples of this can be seen in the singing resistance groups, the art (and businesses enabling people to produce resistance artworks), community mutal aid (donate if you can!), the social networks people are building and intensifying, people-led education (about rights, solidarity, care).
Available for pre-order now from Routledge - Palliative Care and Hospice: Interdisciplinary Perspectives over the Decades. Edited by myself, Bethan Michael-Fox & Arnar Arnason. www.routledge.com/Palliative-C...
Palliative Care and Hospice: Interdisciplinary Perspectives over the Decades
This book offers a comprehensive collection of seminal research into palliative care and hospice, providing an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of end-of-life care,...
www.routledge.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Available for pre-order now from Routledge - Palliative Care and Hospice: Interdisciplinary Perspectives over the Decades. Edited by myself, Bethan Michael-Fox & Arnar Arnason. www.routledge.com/Palliative-C...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Applications are now invited for a new RHS programme for 2026, co-hosted with @ihr.bsky.social and @chalkefestival.bsky.social
'Pitch my Project' is for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in June bit.ly/44kfUMM. Closing date: 6 February. #Skystorians
'Pitch my Project' is for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in June bit.ly/44kfUMM. Closing date: 6 February. #Skystorians
Pitch my Project: an opportunity for early career historians to present their work at the Chalke History Festival 2026 - RHS
Have you ever wanted to share your research with a wide audience? Would you like to gain experience in public speaking, and be supported to develop imaginative ways to communicate your research to the...
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Applications are now invited for a new RHS programme for 2026, co-hosted with @ihr.bsky.social and @chalkefestival.bsky.social
'Pitch my Project' is for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in June bit.ly/44kfUMM. Closing date: 6 February. #Skystorians
'Pitch my Project' is for early career historians to present their research at the Chalke History Festival in June bit.ly/44kfUMM. Closing date: 6 February. #Skystorians
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
"I'm not in Minnesota -- what can I do to help?"
A list of ideas!
A list of ideas!
January 11, 2026 at 10:33 PM
"I'm not in Minnesota -- what can I do to help?"
A list of ideas!
A list of ideas!
Upcoming seminar from Gemma Briggs on Feb 11 7-8pm(UK) online - Why do we tolerate road deaths? Implications for policy and practice. It's the first The Open Psychology Research Centre Public Lecture. Link for info & register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/279390...
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Upcoming seminar from Gemma Briggs on Feb 11 7-8pm(UK) online - Why do we tolerate road deaths? Implications for policy and practice. It's the first The Open Psychology Research Centre Public Lecture. Link for info & register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/279390...
Some of my work this week has reminded me of the initial analysis of data on higher education staff's experiences of bereavement, including unclear policies, workload and support at work. Link to report here: oro.open.ac.uk/88719/
The Open University
oro.open.ac.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Some of my work this week has reminded me of the initial analysis of data on higher education staff's experiences of bereavement, including unclear policies, workload and support at work. Link to report here: oro.open.ac.uk/88719/
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.