SPARC - Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity

10.30: Registration and coffee

11.00: Welcome by the Chair for the Day, Elizabeth Mills, Eminence-Grise Consultants, Chair of the SPARC Advisory Committee

11.10 Background to SPARC and the world of Ageing Resarch, Professor Peter Lansley, Director of SPARC

11.30: SPARC teams briefly introduce themselves

11.45: Getting to know you, Facilitated by Dr Richard Faragher, Director of SPARC

Presentations from Three SPARC teams, (10 minutes each and 5 minutes Q&A each)

1. An investigation into the advanced technology desires, needs and requirements of older drivers, Mike Bradley (Middlesex)
2. Evaluating the role of p38 MAP kinase in the accelerated ageing of WS fibroblasts, Dr Terry Davis (Cardiff)
3. Design and community regeneration: Investigating personal safety concerns of the elderly in socio-economically deprived communities in South Wales, Jo Waters (Glamorgan)

12.45: Ten Poster Presentations (5 minutes each) and Lunch

Group 1: Facilitators – David Kipling and Bernie Conway

1. Integrating the technological and social models of later life in the maintenance and adaptation of private housing: a feasibility study of knowledge management information and visualisation systems
2. Chemical tool for ageing research
3. Transport and older people: integrating transport planning tools with users needs
4. Chemical analysis of ageing tissue in Drosophila melanogaster
5. The 'inclusive engineering' approach: enhanced data gathering for an optimum diameter for ease of opening

Group 2: Facilitators - Deborah Dunn-Walters and Kevin Morgan

1. EPR, oxidative stress and ageing
2. A proteomics approach to understanding age-related changes in neuronal function
3. Ageing, exercise and gender: complex interactions and outcomes for all muscles
4. Multimodal augmented reality to support ageing in place: a pilot study
5. Prolonging safe driving behaviour through technology: attitudes of older drivers

14.15: Small Group discussions, Four Groups. Facilitators: David Kipling, Bernie Conway, Deborah Dunn-Walters and Kevin Morgan.

Some questions

1. As new award holders to ageing research how best, within its limited resources, can SPARC help you?
2. Two key SPARC activities are workshops and advocacy. Do you have any suggestions for future workshops and approaches to advocacy? How can you help SPARC?
3. Were there any surprises or new ideas stimulated by the presentations and posters – for example, research ideas, ways of managing projects, perspectives on research etc?

15.30 Tea

15.45 Plenary session - Chair: Dr Lorna Layward, Research in Ageing/Help the Aged, Deputy Chair, SPARC Advisory Committee

Feedback from the four groups (5 minutes each)

Discussion

Responses from the Directors

16.30 Roundup and Review - Elizabeth Mills, OBE, Chair of the SPARC Advisory Committee

16.45 Closing Comments

16.55 End of Day