One of the biggest misperceptions Vincenza Gruppuso hears about aging is that it starts when you hit 65.
But as research co-ordinator with the University of Victoria’s Centre on Aging, Gruppuso is hoping to highlight the world-leading research taking place amongst all age groups through a research cafe on March 4.
“We’re sort of a multidisciplinary hub – psychology, sociology, nursing, geography – and while a lot of the researchers do work around the later years, that doesn’t preclude them from looking at earlier adult experience,” she says.
Titled Aging Deconstructed: The Art and Science of Living Well, the event takes place at the University Club from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and includes presentations from nine researchers through the Centre on Aging.
The event is open to anyone, and participants will be seated at tables of 10 to 12 to hear small group five-minute presentations. Refreshments and light snacks will be served while groups talk to researchers about the issues that matter to them.
“It’s not just researchers telling us what they’re doing. It’s about connecting with what’s important to people,” Grupposo says. “One of the things I love about the Centre on Aging is it’s about the people and how does this research affect them.”
The Centre’s community connections include work through the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation and other charity partners.
“We really work hard about making that connection to community,” Gruppuso says.
For more information on the research cafe or to RSVP, call 250-721-6369 or email aging@uvic.ca.
Find a full program for IdeaFest here.
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