The Oxford Institute of Population Ageing hosted the Short-term Exchange Programme under the theme “Using Data to Understand Demographic Change” from 15 to 19 September 2025. Professors, doctoral students, and undergraduates from nine universities—including Renmin University of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Central South University, Hunan University, the University of Houston-Downtown, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong—participated in the five-day programme.
Over the course of lectures, workshops, and seminars, participants examined key issues in ageing research, including the economics of ageing, health and social care systems, and age-friendly communities. The sessions also introduced the Oxford tutorial style, encouraging independent thinking, open discussion, and interdisciplinary collaboration. On the final day, under the guidance of Professor Sarah Harper, we reflected on how the week’s learning had shaped our understanding of ageing and demographic change. Drawing on our diverse academic backgrounds—from sociology and public health to economics, demography, and policy studies—we shared insights that connected theory with lived experience and national context. What emerged was a rich mosaic of perspectives, demonstrating that the study of ageing is not only about data or policy but also about understanding humanity through different cultural and disciplinary lenses.
In our collective discussion, we explored themes ranging from global ageing challenges and intergenerational relations to the foundations of critical thinking in social research—capturing both the intellectual depth and the personal growth inspired by the programme. The following sections summarise three key themes that emerged from our reflections.
The first, “Understanding Shared Challenges of Ageing in a Global Context,” explores how population ageing has become a worldwide social transition connecting societies such as China and the United Kingdom.
The second, “Exploring Dual Perspectives on Intergenerational Relationships,” examines the evolving patterns of family support and generational tensions in ageing societies.
The third, “Developing Critical Thinking in Ageing Research,” highlights the importance of intellectual rigour and methodological reflection in evaluating research evidence.
Together, these reflections illustrate how we approach the study of ageing with analytical depth, cultural awareness, and a commitment to collaboration.
Understanding Shared Challenges of Ageing in a Global Context
The Short-term Exchange Programme enabled us to experience ageing as a truly global question. Through lectures, workshops, and informal discussions with Oxford scholars, we were constantly challenged to see beyond our own contexts. What impressed us most was that, despite our different backgrounds, the issues we encountered in China resonated strongly with those discussed in the UK—revealing population ageing as a shared global transition. From the sustainability of pension systems and pressures on health and long-term care to widening inequalities in later life and the creation of intergenerationally inclusive communities, the same concerns echoed across societies.
Our group discussion on filial piety made this convergence tangible. Though rooted in Confucian traditions and often regarded as culturally specific to East Asia, its modern core engages meaningfully with Western notions of intergenerational solidarity. In contemporary China, filial piety increasingly emphasises emotional connection and relationship quality rather than obedience and obligation (Bedford & Yeh, 2021)—a shift that, perhaps unexpectedly, resonates with Western debates on intergenerational fairness. More broadly, filial piety raises a universal question: as family size decreases, women’s labour force participation rises, and mobility increases, who should bear responsibility for the care of older adults?
In China, the recent revision of the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly reinforces the legal importance of family obligations, even as urbanisation and migration make co-residence more difficult. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, public debates about the affordability of long-term care and pension fairness pose similar questions. Although the institutional pathways differ, both societies are continually renegotiating the balance between state, market, family, and community responsibility.
Engaging deeply with Oxford lecturers through rigorous teaching and open dialogue made these ideas come alive. The programme went beyond introducing theories of ageing—it provided a tangible experience of how global demographic challenges manifest in different societies and how comparative research can foster shared understanding. Through case studies, cross-cultural dialogue, and critical reflection, we came to see ageing not as a distant demographic trend but as a lived reality shaping policy, care, and community worldwide. While it remains important to examine regional differences with nuance, our task is also to recognise underlying connections—to use these similarities as a foundation for mutual learning and collaboration. Ultimately, the programme demonstrated how academic exchange can foster not only knowledge but also solidarity: enabling us to envision a more connected research community that learns through diversity and understands through shared concern.
Exploring Dual Perspectives on Intergenerational Relationships
Among the many topics discussed, intergenerational relationships left one of the deepest impressions on us. This is because such relationships are not only central to ageing research but also highly relevant to contemporary Chinese society.
Two demographic trends—longer life expectancy and declining fertility—are reshaping family structures. The former extends intergenerational co-residence, while the latter concentrates care responsibilities on fewer adult children. This shift weakens families’ capacity to provide elder care, intensifies the burden on the younger generation, and may also trigger intergenerational conflict, thereby undermining the health and well-being of older adults (Zhong et al., 2020). This evolving dynamic highlights two core dimensions of intergenerational relations: support and conflict.
Intergenerational support remains a key indicator for assessing intergenerational relationships. Research commonly classifies it into three forms: financial, instrumental, and emotional. Support within families is bidirectional: children provide financial and practical care for ageing parents, while older parents often offer “downward support” through help with household tasks or childcare for grandchildren. However, studies have shown that middle-aged “sandwich generation” adults frequently face competing demands between caring for ageing parents and raising their own children (Fingerman et al., 2015), leading to imbalances and strain within families.
Generational conflicts also arise from differences in values and expectations. Older generations’ adherence to traditional norms of family duty and thrift can clash with younger generations’ emphasis on individual autonomy and lifestyle diversity. Disagreements often surface around housing, marriage, and fertility decisions. Moreover, the rapid spread of digital technologies has introduced new intergenerational tensions: lower digital literacy among older adults can lead to dependence or frustration (Zhou et al., 2022), while younger people adopt habits shaped by digital convenience—further complicating communication and mutual understanding.
Through this programme, we gained a more systematic and nuanced understanding of intergenerational dynamics. We came to see that these relationships reflect a continual negotiation between generations over limited resources and differing perceptions of responsibility. This is not merely a challenge unique to China but a shared issue across ageing societies worldwide. The professors’ presentations of cutting-edge research and their facilitation of in-depth workshops broadened our academic horizons and strengthened our capacity for critical analysis. These experiences will continue to guide our future work, motivating us to explore population ageing further and contribute meaningfully to research in China and beyond.
Developing Critical Thinking in Research
The workshop on critical thinking offered profound insights into identifying and deconstructing logical fallacies often found in quantitative research. Using a thought-provoking case study that claimed wine club membership improves mental health, we learned to interrogate seemingly plausible correlations. Although such findings may appear statistically significant, Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Melina Malli encouraged us to examine the underlying issue of confounding variables. This exercise demonstrated how socioeconomic status, social integration, and lifestyle factors can influence both wine club participation and mental well-being—reminding us that correlation does not imply causation.
The workshop reinforced key principles of epidemiological research, echoing Ioannidis’ seminal argument on why many research findings may be false (Ioannidis, 2005). We discussed how design flexibility, small effect sizes, and various biases can increase the likelihood of false positives. This awareness demands that researchers actively consider alternative explanations, recognise measurement limitations, and reflect critically on the assumptions embedded in statistical models.
Applying these lessons to palliative care research, we recognised the importance of rigorously questioning methodological assumptions. When evaluating interventions for older adults, it is crucial to distinguish between specific treatment effects and non-specific factors, such as additional attention or researcher rapport. This distinction ensures that observed improvements in patient satisfaction or quality of life genuinely reflect intervention efficacy rather than confounding influences. Such methodological vigilance is especially important in developing care standards for vulnerable populations.
The workshop ultimately highlighted that critical thinking is our strongest safeguard against oversimplified narratives. It empowers researchers to move beyond surface-level correlations and uncover the complex interplay of social, economic, and biological determinants. This mindset is essential for designing robust studies in ageing research, where multiple factors often interact in subtle ways that simple correlations cannot capture. The workshop profoundly reshaped our understanding of research design and interpretation: by maintaining intellectual rigour and a critical eye toward confounding and bias, we can produce more reliable and meaningful evidence to advance care for older populations.
Closing
Across all sessions, what united our learning experience was a renewed awareness of ageing as both a global challenge and a deeply human concern. If we were to name the programme’s greatest gift, it would be this: learning to see ageing clearly — clearly enough to recognise the shared challenges of ageing in a global context, where different societies confront similar questions of sustainability, fairness, and care;
clearly enough to understand that the health and well-being of older adults are shaped not only by medicine but also by social structures, environments, and intergenerational relations; and
clearly enough to cultivate a critical mindset in research—one that questions assumptions, values context, and bridges data with lived experience.
We hope to carry these reflections forward in our future research, continuing to learn from and build upon the insights this short-term exchange has inspired.
About the authors
Ying Cheng is a Visiting Student in the Short-term Exchange Programme at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She is currently a Doctoral Student in the School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University.
Yuxuan Fei is a Visiting Student in the Short-term Exchange Programme at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She is currently a Doctoral Student in the School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University.
Shirui Xue is a Visiting Student in the Short-term Exchange Programme at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She is currently a Doctoral Student in the School of Population and Health, Renmin University of China.
Jingjing Jiao is a Visiting Scholar in the Short-term Exchange Programme at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She just graduated from Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University.
Ying Wang is a Visiting Scholar in the Short-term Exchange Programme at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University.
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