Professor Douglas Davies on the development of death studies, ‘words against death’, the ‘dividual’, religion, ‘sacred secrets’, the ‘opacity of the self’ and the ‘curated everything’
What's the episode about? In this episode, hear Professor Douglas Davies on thedevelopment of death studies, ‘words against death’, the ‘dividual’, religion, ‘sacred secrets’, the ‘opacity of the self’ and the ‘curated everything’, keeping a dream diaries since 1979, the over-optimism of posthumanism, wealth inequality, & the privilege of intellectuals as ‘people who think’.Who is Douglas? This introduction to Douglas Davies was written by DrGeorgina Robinson, who awarded Douglas with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Death, dying and Disposal Conference in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Douglas Davies is a name known to all who work in theinterdisciplinary field of Death Studies. From early career scholars, fresh in the field, through to senior colleagues who have themselves deeply influenced the field, the stories that people tell of their experiences of Douglas are always warm and encouraging, yet unique to the individual: the time and careDouglas gives to all who encounter him is a true testament of his character. As a founding member of ASDS and editorial board member ofMortality Douglas has always offered a home to Death Studies scholars, having hosted numerous Death Studies events, including the International Conference onthe Social Context of Death, Dying, and Disposal and the inaugural International Symposium of the Death Online Research Network (DORS#1), as well as events for funerary professionals, including numerous Summer Schools of theNational Association of Funeral Directors. Alongside these external events, Douglas has also welcomedcountless students, researchers, and professional colleagues to Durham during his time as Director of Durham University’s Centre for Death and Life Studies through visiting professorships, library scholarships to work in the Archivesof the Cremation Society of Great Britain, alongside conferences hosted by the Centre. What is unique about Douglas is that despite his countless works whichhave deeply influenced scholarly thinking within the field, more often than not, it is a conversation or engagement with him that sticks with Death Studies scholars: his kindness and encouraging nature are second-to-none. Nevertheless, the significant impact that his countlessworks have had – both academically and practically, with his work impacting policy changes and the funeral sector itself – must not be understated (e.g., Mors Britannica, 2015; Death, Ritual and Belief, 3 editions 1997, 2002, 2017;Natural Burial, 2012; A Brief History of Death, 2005; Theology of Death, 2008). Significantly, 2025 marks 50 years of Douglas's career in academia: how fitting that the association he was formative in establishing would award him with thehonour of Lifetime Achievement Award this year. How do I cite the episode in my research and reading lists? To cite this episode, you can use the following citation: Davies, D. (2025) Interview on The Death StudiesPodcast hosted by Michael-Fox, B. and Visser, R. Published 1 December 2025.Available at: www.thedeathstudiespodcast.com, DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30752183 What next?Check out more episodes or find out more about the hosts! Gota question? Get in touch.
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