The Centre for Elder Research builds community connections at their Intergenerational Symposium

To help kick-off 2024’s Global Intergenerational Week, the Centre for Elder Research hosted the Intergenerational Engagement and Connection Symposium at Trafalgar Campus’ Sheridan Conference Centre on April 24. The event encouraged conversation, connection and collaboration between faculty and staff with partners and members of the community interested in the work and impacts of bringing members of different generations and ages together across a variety of settings. 

An integral part of Generator at Sheridan, CER’s specialized research expertise in enhancing the health and well-being of older Canadians has long incorporated intergenerational strategies in their innovative approaches. As a recent example, Dr. Kate Dupuis, Schlegel Innovation Leader at CER, was recently involved as a co-researcher in the collaborative research project Crochet Connections, a fibre craft project that brought together Sheridan students and a group of older adults to create crocheted blankets. She also continues to work on intergenerational music therapy outcomes with the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. 

During the Symposium, attendees participated in feedback sessions, visited displays, and heard an informative panel discussion about intergenerational research and community connections. Moderated by Dr. Lia Tsotsos, Director of the Centre for Elder Research (CER), the featured panelists (Sheridan professors Joel Lopata from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Ferzana Chaze from the Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies, and Marian Traynor, Director, Library and Research Support Services) shared their insights and strategies for fostering intergenerational connections. 

In addition to hearing the panel and connecting with new and familiar colleagues, attendees had the opportunity to share their ideas with each other through an engaging feedback session. This valuable insight will help inform CER’s continued collaborative work to promote and support research and program delivery in the intergenerational space. 

To learn more about the Centre for Elder Research, please visit sheridancollege.ca/elder-research.