Date: January 30, 2024 and February 13, 2024 (2-part webinar) 12 pm – 1 pm 

Speaker: Dr. Arlene Astell is Director of the DATE Lab, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, Affiliate Scientist at the University Health Network, and AGE-WELL Challenge Area lead for Staying Connected. A psychologist by training, her work focuses on empowering individuals to live and age as well as possible. This includes engaging with digital technology to address cognitive, physical and psychological challenges of aging. Her work involves partnering with older adults as experts to create innovative solutions to living well in later life.

Description: Co-design is a straightforward concept in theory, but applying co-design principles in real world research settings can be challenging. This essential workshop gives you the opportunity to advance your knowledge in practical applications of co-design when partnering with older adults and caregivers to create innovative solutions. AGE-WELL funded project TUNGSTEN (Tools for User Needs Gathering to Support Technology ENgagement) is creating tools to involve older adults in technology development, from the early stages of design and testing of products, right through to marketing and advertising. These tools include products such as decision support kits and an e-commerce platform for products for people living with dementia. Join Project Co-Leader Arlene Astell as she guides you through the TUNGSTEN toolkit, its rationale, co-creation achievements, and how variations can be applied in different settings – including your own research! This 2-part workshop includes hands on activities to immerse you in the co-design process.

Learning Objectives:

• Be able to explain the motivation for using co-design in your work
• Understand what different TUNGSTEN tools can be used for
• Develop a co-creation mindset