PAAR-Net (COST Action CA22167 – Participatory Approaches with Older Adults) is pleased to announce the III. International Knowledge Exchange Event, which will take place on 9–10 June 2026 at the UCC Centre for Executive Education in Cork, Ireland. The event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation.
This two-day event will bring together researchers, stakeholders, and older co-creators to explore participatory approaches in health, care, and support settings, with a strong focus on co-creation, inclusion, and real-world impact.
Day 1 – Rethinking Participation and Building Evidence
The first day will open with a keynote by Sarah Campbell (Manchester Metropolitan University), addressing critical questions around participation and agenda-setting in ageing research. A roundtable session with older co-creators from across Europe will follow, highlighting lived experiences and mutual learning between researchers and communities.
In the afternoon, Working Groups will present their ongoing work on topics such as:
- Ageism and participatory approaches
- Co-designing technology for dementia care
- Participatory research with older migrants
- Eudaimonia and meaning in ageing
- Smart city initiatives and health-supportive technologies
- Ethical standards in participatory research
The day will conclude with interactive parallel sessions focusing on educating researchers and fostering future collaborative funding opportunities.
Day 2 – From Research to Impact
The second day will focus on translating participatory research into policy and practice. Through testimonial sessions, participants will share real-world experiences on topics such as:
- Pensions and poverty
- Nursing care systems
- Neighbourhood change
- Age-friendly artificial intelligence initiatives
Interactive World Café sessions will further engage participants in discussions around:
- Promoting inclusion
- New technologies
- Health systems
These sessions aim to co-develop ideas and strengthen collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
A Space for Collaboration and Co-Creation
The event will provide multiple opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and co-creation, including open collaboration spaces and joint discussions for future research initiatives. It reflects PAAR-Net’s commitment to doing research with, not on, older adults, and to strengthening participatory approaches across Europe and beyond.
📄 For the full programme, please see the agenda