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.
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
One of the things I really love about my job is getting to see people's work develop and be shared 😍 The considered thinking, creative ideas, and navigating ways to understand the world.
October 21, 2025 at 9:16 AM
One of the things I really love about my job is getting to see people's work develop and be shared 😍 The considered thinking, creative ideas, and navigating ways to understand the world.
Yesterday's post included my editor's copy of the latest book in the Death and Culture series for Bristol Univeristy Press.
Life and Death in Latin American Cities -The Necropolis at Stake by Christien Klaufus.
Informed by her many years of fieldwork in several countries.
Life and Death in Latin American Cities -The Necropolis at Stake by Christien Klaufus.
Informed by her many years of fieldwork in several countries.
October 21, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Yesterday's post included my editor's copy of the latest book in the Death and Culture series for Bristol Univeristy Press.
Life and Death in Latin American Cities -The Necropolis at Stake by Christien Klaufus.
Informed by her many years of fieldwork in several countries.
Life and Death in Latin American Cities -The Necropolis at Stake by Christien Klaufus.
Informed by her many years of fieldwork in several countries.
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Researching a legal moment that was supposed to change everything - whether it did or not? The call for papers for 'Moments of Rupture' is open until 23 October!
Free, online conference in November, hosted by the Open Universities legal histories research cluster.
#LegalHistory #cfp
Free, online conference in November, hosted by the Open Universities legal histories research cluster.
#LegalHistory #cfp
The Open University
Moments of Rupture Online 20-21 November 2025Some legal and social changes are so profound that they create what seem to be moments of rupture: breaks between the ‘before’ and ‘after’. These moments c...
law-school.open.ac.uk
October 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Researching a legal moment that was supposed to change everything - whether it did or not? The call for papers for 'Moments of Rupture' is open until 23 October!
Free, online conference in November, hosted by the Open Universities legal histories research cluster.
#LegalHistory #cfp
Free, online conference in November, hosted by the Open Universities legal histories research cluster.
#LegalHistory #cfp
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 podcast episode where I talk about what's going on with mortality in the US
A wide-ranging discussion of what happened before the pandemic & what's happened since then; racial disparities and how to get our heads around their scope; why things might be going so badly for Millennials & Gen Zers
A wide-ranging discussion of what happened before the pandemic & what's happened since then; racial disparities and how to get our heads around their scope; why things might be going so badly for Millennials & Gen Zers
Prof. Elizabeth Wrigley-Field Discusses Excess Deaths
Because the US death rate has exceeded that of 21 other high income countries for over four decades, an estimated 14.7 million US lives have been lost since1980.
www.thehealthcarepolicypodcast.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:17 PM
New podcast episode where I talk about what's going on with mortality in the US
A wide-ranging discussion of what happened before the pandemic & what's happened since then; racial disparities and how to get our heads around their scope; why things might be going so badly for Millennials & Gen Zers
A wide-ranging discussion of what happened before the pandemic & what's happened since then; racial disparities and how to get our heads around their scope; why things might be going so badly for Millennials & Gen Zers
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Join us for our next event...
Communication Challenges and Pathways in Palliative Care
🗓️30 October
⏰11:00 - 13:00 (UK time)
💬Dr Andrea Bruun and Dr Kathryn Radley
pcrs.org.uk/events/oct-w...
FREE for PCRS Members!
Communication Challenges and Pathways in Palliative Care
🗓️30 October
⏰11:00 - 13:00 (UK time)
💬Dr Andrea Bruun and Dr Kathryn Radley
pcrs.org.uk/events/oct-w...
FREE for PCRS Members!
October 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Join us for our next event...
Communication Challenges and Pathways in Palliative Care
🗓️30 October
⏰11:00 - 13:00 (UK time)
💬Dr Andrea Bruun and Dr Kathryn Radley
pcrs.org.uk/events/oct-w...
FREE for PCRS Members!
Communication Challenges and Pathways in Palliative Care
🗓️30 October
⏰11:00 - 13:00 (UK time)
💬Dr Andrea Bruun and Dr Kathryn Radley
pcrs.org.uk/events/oct-w...
FREE for PCRS Members!
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Still some time to register and find out how to do a doctoral degree with at The Open University in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (which hosts Open Thanatology). More details below.
Want to do a doctoral degree with us? Join a postgraduate open day to learn about the different degree opportunities, funding, and how to apply. Next one: 16th October 2025 (10-15.30 UK time - Online via MS Teams) Register via email to WELS-PGRs@open.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Still some time to register and find out how to do a doctoral degree with at The Open University in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (which hosts Open Thanatology). More details below.
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Re-live DDD17 through our special conference episode!
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
DDD17: The 2025 Death, Dying and Disposal Conference
open.spotify.com
October 4, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Re-live DDD17 through our special conference episode!
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Want to do a doctoral degree with us? Join a postgraduate open day to learn about the different degree opportunities, funding, and how to apply. Next one: 16th October 2025 (10-15.30 UK time - Online via MS Teams) Register via email to WELS-PGRs@open.ac.uk
October 1, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Want to do a doctoral degree with us? Join a postgraduate open day to learn about the different degree opportunities, funding, and how to apply. Next one: 16th October 2025 (10-15.30 UK time - Online via MS Teams) Register via email to WELS-PGRs@open.ac.uk
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
If you write professionally in the UK, make sure to sign up to ALCS for your fair share of royalties
🥳 This week, we will pay 31,487 members their share of £11,588,572!
Find out more:
www.alcs.co.uk/news/your-di...
Find out more:
www.alcs.co.uk/news/your-di...
Your distribution questions answered
This week, we will pay 31,487 members their share of £11,588,572. Get answers to your most pressing questions about our latest distribution.
www.alcs.co.uk
September 22, 2025 at 10:42 AM
If you write professionally in the UK, make sure to sign up to ALCS for your fair share of royalties
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Today is the day! You can catch Disease X on #BBC2 at 9 pm or iPlayer from this morning. Watch as Chris Van Tulleken investigates the next possible #pandemic and I make an appearance talking about #risk and #decision-making. Shout out to Prof Christophe Fraser who did the modelling!
September 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Today is the day! You can catch Disease X on #BBC2 at 9 pm or iPlayer from this morning. Watch as Chris Van Tulleken investigates the next possible #pandemic and I make an appearance talking about #risk and #decision-making. Shout out to Prof Christophe Fraser who did the modelling!
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
To accompany the OU-BBC co-produced segment on Morning Live about music at the end of life, check out the further resources on OU Connect connect.open.ac.uk/health-wellb...
connect.open.ac.uk
September 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
To accompany the OU-BBC co-produced segment on Morning Live about music at the end of life, check out the further resources on OU Connect connect.open.ac.uk/health-wellb...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
Watching Morning Live on BBC One this morning? You'll see our Dr Sam Murphy on there talking about palliative care and music playlists. If you can't watch it live, if you live in the UK you'll be able to catch it on iPlayer from later today. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC One - Morning Live
Join Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton, Michelle Ackerley and the team for conversation, advice and tips to make your day that little bit easier.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 17, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Watching Morning Live on BBC One this morning? You'll see our Dr Sam Murphy on there talking about palliative care and music playlists. If you can't watch it live, if you live in the UK you'll be able to catch it on iPlayer from later today. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Prof Erica Borgstrom
🚨🚨🚨The CfP for the 2025 BSA #Death, #Dying and #Bereavement symposium is now open! This year's theme is #Care and #Caring, and the University of Nottingham is hosting us. Please submit your abstracts by Tuesday 30th September to bsaddb@gmail.com. We're looking forward to reading them!
September 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
🚨🚨🚨The CfP for the 2025 BSA #Death, #Dying and #Bereavement symposium is now open! This year's theme is #Care and #Caring, and the University of Nottingham is hosting us. Please submit your abstracts by Tuesday 30th September to bsaddb@gmail.com. We're looking forward to reading them!
At #MedSoc2025 several other presentations referenced this paper from my colleagues and I about not intervening as a form of care, especially in relation to end of life. Exciting to see how people are using and moving the ideas forward!
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Medical Anthropology Quarterly | AAA Journal | Wiley Online Library
Biomedicine is organized around interventions. Despite growing concern about overtreatment in healthcare systems, not intervening can still raise questions about potential negligence and the quality ...
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
At #MedSoc2025 several other presentations referenced this paper from my colleagues and I about not intervening as a form of care, especially in relation to end of life. Exciting to see how people are using and moving the ideas forward!
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....