Book launch: The Babushka Phenomenon by Anna Shadrina at UCL SSEES

Hosted by UCL’s FRINGE Centre, this event marks the publication of Anna Shadrina’s new book, The Babushka Phenomenon: Older women and the Political Sociology of Ageing in Russia (UCL Press, 2025).

In Russia, the norm of grandmothers’ active involvement in childcare, housing support, and housework has shaped the marginal social position of the babushka — a post-professional and post-sexual member of society who, paradoxically, is perceived as a recipient of social benefits rather than an active contributor. The book demonstrates how older women’s practical and financial support enables younger generations to navigate post-socialist insecurities and to combine paid labour with family life.

Book launch & panel discussion with Dr Anna Shadrina (University of Liverpool), Prof Karen Glaser (King’s College London), and Prof Gulnaz Sharafutdinova (King’s College London). The event will be chaired by Prof. Alena Ledeneva, UCL SSEES.

Open to all, pre-booking essential. For more information click on ‘buy ticket’.