Event Details

An afternoon of discussion and reflection celebrating two Routledge books on reinvention, professional identity, writing, and the future of work.

Radical Resilience is an afternoon event celebrating Radical Retirement and Work Psychology and the Climate Crisis.

Radical Retirement: The Reinvention of Self After Work (Routledge, April 2026), a new edited volume exploring how professionals navigate identity, purpose, and leadership at moments of major transition. Through personal narratives and reflective practice, the book challenges conventional ideas of retirement and reframes reinvention as a lifelong process.

The event brings together contributors to Radical Retirement alongside Routledge editor Rebecca Marsh for an afternoon of discussion, reflection, and engagement. A panel session will explore themes of reinvention, writing, and publishing, with opportunities for audience Q&A aimed at aspiring writers, prospective contributors to academic or business books, and those interested in the publishing process more broadly.

The programme will also include a seminar drawn from Christine Eastman’s The Power of Words, demonstrating how engagement with literature can support professional writing, publishing ambitions, and sense-making in times of change.

The afternoon will additionally mark the launch of Jan Maskell’s Work Psychology and the Climate Crisis: A Handbook of Principles and Practice, introduced as part of the wider programme.

Copies of both books, and promotional materials will be provided.

Programme

12.45 to 1.30pm We begin with a Taster Session “The Courage to Become: Mapping Identity Through Transition” from Geraldine Locke and Louise Sutton

1.35 – 2.30pm There will be a Panel Discussion session aimed at would be writers, contributors to academic/business books, those interested in the publishing process. Hosted by Sandra Booth, one of the book contributors and member of PEML, on stage will be other book contributors – Geraldine Locke, Jo Greenwood, Krista Court, Dan Biggs, and Routledge editor, Rebecca Marsh. Jan Maskell too will be on stage to answer questions about the respective books.

2.35 – 3.30pm Chapter contributors to Radical Retirement will share their experiences of crafting their stories and will read passages from their work. Hosted by Eileen Cunningham, this session will explore the concepts of identity, change, reinvention, and, most importantly, personal growth. There will be the opportunity for the audience to ask questions to each writer.

3.35 – 4.10pm There will be a talk on how the concept of Bildungsroman and literary works in general can support your writing and publishing goals. Hosted by Christine Eastman and Diane Bleakly, The Power of Words will introduce the audience to Herman Melville’s Redburn and Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and demonstrate how the study of literature can support your professional writing, publishing ambitions, and sense making in times of change.

Welcome to an afternoon of discussion, reflection, and inspiration.

This event will be delivered fully in person. Sessions are designed to be attended flexibly, and guests are very welcome to arrive late, leave early, or attend only those parts of the programme most relevant to them.

Room LT18, Lancaster University Management School

For futher information please contact: Emma Sose, Postgraduate Manager, Management School Office e.sose@lancaster.ac.uk