Louise is a Senior Researcher at Demos. She is currently working on two projects exploring how we can meet the needs of an ageing society. The first project, Ageing Sociably, is exploring specifically the potential for businesses to play a greater role in giving older people opportunities to socialise and build and maintain their social networks as they experience life transitions such as retirement. The second project, Ageing Across the EU, will use quantitative analysis of large longitudinal data sets to compare experiences of ageing in the UK across a range of indicators, with experiences  of people aged 50 plus in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Louise is also developing a project that will explore the specific nutritional needs of infants and children aged 0-3; the impact of nutrition on young children’s later life outcomes (including health, social and emotional development and educational attainment); and the extent to which parents and early years providers are meeting the nutritional needs of this age group.

Louise recently led the research secretariat for the Commission on Assisted Dying between September 2010 and January 2012, managing the Commission’s programme of outreach and research. This public consultation lasted for more than a year and included a call for written evidence that received more than 1,200 responses; international research visits to Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Oregon in the USA; six public evidence hearings and a programme of qualitative research with older people, disabled people and people with terminal illnesses. It culminated in a high profile report by the Commission on Assisted Dying, which was published in January 2012.

Other publications Louise has recently co-authored include The Truth About Suicide (2011), an empirical study of the relationship between suicide and chronic and terminal illness, and Coming of Age (2011), a report that puts older people's experiences and voices at the centre of ageing policy. Louise also co-authored The Home Front (2011), a study of the pressures and challenges of parenting and the policies and services that are effective in supporting parents, and In Loco Parentis (2010), a comprehensive study of the care system focusing on how care can be used most effectively to improve children’s outcomes.

Prior to working for Demos, Louise worked at the Digital Inclusion Team, a central government funded organisation that worked with local authorities to promote digital inclusion. Louise has an MSc in Global Politics from the London School of Economics and a degree from Cambridge.

Jan 17

Message on care stays loud and clear

Louise Bazalgette welcomes a new report on youth offending amongst children in care.

Jan 5

The Commission on Assisted Dying

Louise Bazalgette, lead researcher to the Commission on Assisted Dying, comments on its final report.

Aug 23

An unspoken truth

Louise Bazalgette introduces The Truth About Suicide, a report looking at the link between physical illness and suicide.

Jun 1

End of life care needs communication and cooperation

Louise Bazalgette welcomes the new Patient Charter on End of Life Care.

May 24

Talking at cross-purposes

Louise Bazalgette argues that we need greater clarity in the debate on assisted dying.

Apr 8

Putting a stop to age discrimination

Louise Bazalgette explains the key findings from our report Coming of Age.

Jan 17

The battle for gender equality in the home

Louise Bazalgette comments on the issue of gender equality in the domestic sphere, in light of the new Demos report

Jun 29

Measuring care

Louise Bazalgette and Claudia Wood argue for better assessment of the care system.

Mar 5

Condemn a little more and understand a little less

Lousie Bazalgette looks at the controversial case of Jon Venables.

Jan 21

Money Matters

Louise Bazalgette argues that money is still the key factor in child poverty.

Nov 20

Education, Education? Education…

Louise Bazalgette blogs on budget u-turns.