ASEM Forum on Human Rights of Older Persons: Present and Future

Tuesday 11 July-Wednesday 12 July 2023, Seoul, South Korea

Keynote Speech: Bev James (Director, Public Policy and Research Ltd., New Zealand)

Bev James, who has a PhD in Sociology, is a leading researcher on housing and ageing well in New Zealand. Her career spans over 30 years in academic, local, and central government policy and research, as well as consultancy roles. Her main research areas and programs include the rental market and older people, innovative solutions for affordable housing, ageing, and housing decisions, the meaning of home, and evidence-based decision-support tool development. Bev has held senior research positions in public-good science programs including the Ageing Well National Science Challenge, and since 2016, the Building Better Homes Towns and Cities National Science Challenge. Her recent publications include pathways to renting among older people, older homelessness, and older people's experiences of home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bev is the Director of Public Policy & Research and in a voluntary capacity, she is the chairperson of a community housing trust. In 2022 Bev received the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to seniors.​​