Rethinking Healthy Ageing: Bridging Care, Community, and Innovation

Designed for MA and PhD students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, this six-day workshop, taking place in Pisa from 21 to 23 October, offers an opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with healthy ageing in contemporary European societies. Through a combination of expert talks, collaborative problem-solving, and innovation-focused activities, participants will engage with one of the most pressing societal transformations facing Europe: demographic ageing.

The programme begins with an introduction to European demographic trends, the concept of healthy ageing, and the social, economic, and policy implications of increasing longevity. Students will also receive pitch training, developing the skills and techniques needed to communicate ideas and solutions effectively.

Throughout the workshop, participants will interact with guest speakers from municipalities, healthcare organisations, hospitals, and other relevant institutions, who will present real-world challenges and innovative initiatives aimed at supporting older adults. Innovators and practitioners will showcase emerging technologies, services, and care models that promote autonomy, health, and social participation in later life.

Working in interdisciplinary teams, students will develop solutions to a real-world healthy ageing challenge. Guest speakers will act as mentors throughout the process, providing feedback, guidance, and professional insights to help teams refine their ideas and proposals.

The workshop concludes with a final pitch session, during which teams present their solutions to a panel of experts representing healthcare organizations, municipalities, industry, and other relevant sectors.

By working directly with practitioners, innovators, and decision-makers, participants will gain hands-on experience in addressing authentic societal challenges while exploring how collaboration across public, private, and civic sectors can contribute to healthier, more autonomous, and socially connected lives for older adults.

• Develop an understanding of demographic ageing as a complex societal challenge and its implications for healthcare, social care, communities, and public services.
• Analyse the needs, experiences, and aspirations of older adults in relation to autonomy,
  health, well-being, and social participation.
  Explore how different stakeholders—including hospitals, municipalities, care providers, families, communities, and technology developers—contribute to supporting healthy ageing.
• Gain insights into real-world challenges faced by healthcare and social care organisations
  through engagement with experts and practitioners.
• Examine emerging innovations, technologies, services, and care models that aim to address the opportunities and challenges associated with ageing populations.
• Apply interdisciplinary and human-centred approaches to identify opportunities for innovation and develop solution concepts that support healthy ageing.
• Strengthen collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills by working in interdisciplinary teams on a complex societal challenge.
• Gain pitch and science communication skills

Upon completion of the workshop, students will be able to articulate key challenges related to demographic ageing, understand the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, and propose informed and innovative solutions that contribute to healthier, more autonomous, and socially connected lives for older adults.

The workshop particularly welcomes students interested in innovation, societal challenges, healthcare transformation, welfare technology, community development, and cross-sector collaboration.

Interdisciplinary participation is strongly encouraged, as the workshop explores how public, private, and civic actors can work together to support healthy ageing and sustainable care systems.

Students from the following academic areas are particularly encouraged to participate:

• Health Sciences
• Engineering and Natural Sciences and Technology
• Design and Innovation
• Social Sciences
• Business and Management
• Public Policy and Governance

Morten Foss, foss@inano.au.dk
Olivia Sylvest Milert Hansen, osmh@inano.au.dk