Dr Sofia Ferreira (IRR Group Leader) co-led a workshop that brought together an interdisciplinary group of researchers, artists, and older adults to explore what it means to age today, and identify solutions that promote inclusive, equitable and healthy ageing. Drs Sofia Ferreira and Katie McQuaid (Associate Professor of Gender and Climate, University of Leeds) recently led a workshop (Creative Ageing Lab), connecting fields that rarely collaborate – including experts who do not traditionally work within ageing research. Across two interactive days (18-19 May), participants explored the current challenges and opportunities in ageing research and practice. Through activities including ageing simulation suits, creative scenario-building, collaborative discussions, and artistic exercises, participants were encouraged to reflect on the lived experience of ageing and imagine more inclusive futures. Everyone ages with the passing of time and the process is influenced by a plethora of aspects. The Creative Ageing Lab brought together an eclectic mix of views and opinions from stakeholders and experts by experience who focussed upon the quality of life for those living longer. The event was informative and enlightening. The responses were practical and imaginative. The participants were passionate and mindful. My simple measure of learning is to know more about the subject at the end of the event than I did at the start. And I did!A truly golden event. Clement O’Donovan aged 76 and 10 months and still counting! Rural County Durham When completely different minds share the same room, ageing research stops being a field and becomes a possibility. Dr Sofia Ferreira IRR Group Leader These conversations and outputs will contribute to Drs Ferreira and McQuaid’s ongoing project, which aims to celebrate ageing through interdisciplinary dialogue, storytelling, and creative expression with the co-creation of a graphic novel exploring the realities of ageing and the research happening in this space. The graphic novel will integrate multiple perspectives to communicate experiences on what it means to age today and provide potential solutions that could address current challenges due to ageing. The final piece will be printed and disseminated nationally, alongside digital outreach activities. The two-day Creative Ageing Lab Workshop was a new and innovative experience. It was well paced and the organised activities involved all participants who were from many varied backgrounds. The views and ideas of each of us were listened to and built upon. We worked well together and came up with some solutions to real problems of ageing populations in a number of countries as well as addressing difficulties experienced by some of us in that ageing group. It’s heartening to learn that so many professionals are interested in an increasingly high number of older members of society and how to deal with the associated challenges attached to this. Stella aged 85 years old In addition to this workshop, the researchers are inviting the public to act as curators for the collaborative graphic novel that will combine multiple art forms including illustration, painting and creative writing. If you would like to get involved, you can submit your contributions through the GENERATE Project website.The workshop was sponsored through the UKRI FLF Development Network. Dr Sofia Ferreira research profileDr Katie McQuaid University of Leeds research profile UKRI FLF Development Network Tags CIR Publication date 28 May, 2026
