Description: This webinar introduces the Collective of Older Adult Researchers (COAR) project, an intergenerational, community-based initiative that brought together older adults and graduate students as co-researchers. Using a community-engaged citizen science approach, the project provided research training to older adults and supported undertake their own research to identify mobility challenges and strengths in the neighbourhood surrounding the 411 Seniors Centre in Vancouver. The workshops promoted peer learning, relationship-building, and mutual understanding. The session will share key findings and lessons from the project, highlighting how seniors’ centres can support inclusive, community-led research.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
- Build partnerships with seniors’ organizations by applying community-engaged research (CER) principles to co-design and co-deliver participatory research projects.
- Identify ways to engage older adults as co-researchers through practical, hands-on methods.
- Reflect on the value of intergenerational collaboration in community-based research.
Speakers:
Pat Scrutton has a background in community development and a long-standing commitment to intergenerational work. Since retiring in 2009, she has continued to coordinate the Intergenerational National Network in Scotland and has been actively involved in research projects focused on active ageing, ageing in place, and intergenerational practice with the Universities of Dundee, Stirling, Glasgow, and Heriot-Watt. Pat is passionate about human rights, co-production, and applying these principles in her research and community work.
Mei Lan Fang is Assistant Professor in Urban Aging at Simon Fraser University, jointly appointed in the Urban Studies Program and the Department of Gerontology. She is also a Visiting Scholar at the University of Dundee. Her work focuses on community-engaged research with older adults using participatory methods such as photovoice, walk-alongs, and story mapping. She is committed to creating age-inclusive spaces and policies by centring the voices of older people in research and planning processes.
Becky White is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University. Becky holds an MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health from the University of Bristol, UK and a BA in History from the University of Warwick, UK. Prior to joining the STAR Institute, she worked in project management roles in public and non-profit health and social care organizations in both the UK and USA. Becky’s PhD research focuses on the role of seniors centres in promoting the health and wellbeing of older people in Canada.
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