Sonay Caner-Yıldırım, grantee of Inclusiveness Target Countries Conference in Grant Period 1
Bio:
I am Dr. Sonay Caner-Yıldırım, an early-career researcher and academic in Computer Education and Instructional Technology at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Türkiye. I earned my PhD in 2021 and currently focus on technology mentoring, participatory research, and digital literacy for older adults.
Grant supported actions and initiatives:
At the Socio-Gerontechnology Network (SGN) 2024 Annual Meeting in Vienna, I presented my poster titled “Tech Mentoring to an Older Adult in an Extraordinary Condition: A Participatory Research Approach.” This study highlights the transformative potential of tailored technology mentoring in extraordinary circumstances, such as post-disaster recovery. The event provided me with a fantastic opportunity to meet both early-career and senior researchers in socio-gerontechnology. The conference not only enhanced my professional visibility but also deepened my resolve to continue contributing to PAAR teams and collaborative efforts in this impactful research domain.
Testimonial:
Attending the SGN 2024 Annual Meeting was an incredible experience. Initially, I didn’t know anyone, but I quickly connected with many early-career and senior researchers in socio-gerontechnology, becoming part of their discussions. A delightful surprise was meeting Chris Gilleard, who was a postdoctoral researcher in the 1980s at the university where I earned my PhD in 2021. We talked about our university, and this coincidence made me very happy. The event was inspiring and strengthened my commitment to studying and contributing to PAAR teams.