Durham University Professor Douglas Davies, recognised worldwide for his work in death studies, has been honoured with the Association for the Study of Death and Society’s Lifetime Achievement award.
The award celebrates Professor Davies’ decades of work on topics ranging from ecological approaches to death to funeral practices and mourning. His work, spanning the disciplines of anthropology, theology, and sociology, has contributed significantly to understanding how societies respond to death, as well as to the recognition and development of death studies as a discipline.
He said in this vein: “This award feels less about me personally and more about recognising the value of this work for understanding one of the most universal human experiences.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with brilliant colleagues and students, and to see death studies grow from a small, niche area into a vibrant, international field.”
Professor Davies’ scholarship
Professor Davies’ scholarship has shaped the study of death through major works such as the widely translated textbook Death, Ritual and Belief, the Encyclopaedia of Cremation, and the celebrated Mors Britannica: Lifestyle & Death-Style in Britain Today. His editorial leadership produced A Cultural History of Death, a six-volume collection uniting global perspectives across 2,500 years.
Alongside these publications, he co-founded the Mortality journal, played a central role in establishing the Death, Dying and Disposal conference, and founded Durham’s Centre for Death and Life Studies, which now attracts scholars internationally. He is also recognised worldwide for his research on Mormonism.
Outside of academia
Davies’ work on the theology, history, and social-scientific study of death led him to work closely with policymakers, cremation societies, and funeral directors.
He aided in the creation of the world’s largest collection on the history of cremation, having been instrumental in the British Cremation Society’s archive deposition at Durham in 1998.
Davies’ research has informed parliamentary committees, as well as shaping national debates on methods of body disposition.
On receiving his Lifetime Achievement award, Professor Davies said: “It was a wonderful surprise.”
Dr Georgia Robinson, secretary for ASDS, said: “What is unique about Douglas is that despite his countless works which have 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 countless works have had – both academically and practically, with his work impacting policy changes and the funeral sector itself – must not be understated.”
Featured images via ECLAS and Durham University.
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