Research Network

Our aim is to connect individuals, volunteers, practitioners, policy makers, academics and researchers who are interested in investigating and hearing about the impact of intergenerational work/relationships for both younger and older aged participants. By connecting we shall together, discuss, share and explore:
- new and existing research from Scotland and across the globe
- identify where demand for new research is emerging – public sector/policy makers/consumers/practitioners/investors? Help identify specific fields within intergenerational research that should be prioritised for future research
- opportunities for getting involved in research studies
- methodologies and project ideas – for example – is there an appetite to attempt to run a multi-site intergenerational impact assessment project? If so, what might that look like?
Future meetings for 2023
Registration for all meetings can be found further down the page.
- Wednesday 31st May from 2.00pm – 3.30pm – Intergenerational Innovation and Service design Research
We are delighted to have two students from Glasgow School of Art MDes Innovation and Service Design presenting their research. Ebby Lai and Tzu Tuan Chao will share their research and experiences from their project which aims to build new relationships and better connections between generations, with a focus on retired individuals and young people starting their first job or fresh out of college.
- Wednesday 7th June from 2.30pm – 4.00pm – An evidence gap map: bringing research to you
In this session researchers from Newcastle University and PenArc Southwest Peninsula will present their evidence gap map of research on intergenerational interventions. The map contains all the published and unpublished studies evaluating the effectiveness of intergenerational interventions using a randomised controlled trial design. This map includes 500 research studies published between 1975 and 2021. The last search was completed in February 2022.
- Thursday 21st September from 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Unifying Generations, Edwards Lifesciences
Hear from researchers and a volunteer from the Edwards Lifesciences about their recent survey into perceptions and experience of intergenerational solidarity of 12,850 citizens across 6 European countries (France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and the UK). Unifying Generations Initiative is their first step in the journey towards changing the perception about the senior population and supporting intergenerational solidarity. The European population is ageing. By 2030, one in five people in the UK will be aged over 651. In the Republic of Ireland, it is anticipated that there will be twice as many people aged 65 in 20512. Today, for the first time, we see four generations share a longer life span together. This demographic change is often referred to as a challenge, giving a misleadingly negative impression of the contribution of over-65s to the society. We believe that this demographic challenge is, in reality, an opportunity.
- Wednesday 1st November from 2.00pm – 4.00pm – Inspiring leadership in Intergenerational Activism
Join Diana Granger one of 13 fellows selected from across the US who were committed to learn and seed intergenerational programs into their communities .
Resource Library
GWT actively shares academic evidence with members whenever possible and is still considering ways of providing a library for practitioners and interested parties to use from our website. The library would share studies and professional articles which individuals would normally be unable to access. The library will provide affirmation from the field and will be easy accessible for members to increase their knowledge and understanding of intergenerational practice providing evidence to assist in developing new, improving and sustaining projects for longer periods. The library and network meetings will provide much needed evidence which will assist individuals in future planning of projects, funding applications and for strategic players looking to embed intergenerational approaches into policy and strategic reports.
Past Meetings
Back in 2022 GWT considered how research strengthens intergenerational work and informs us around what works and what we could do to improve our own practice.
We know that intergenerational collaboration can help us make our communities stronger and friendlier places by breaking down stereotypes and building positive relationships but we do need public policy to meet our needs and as we work towards ensuring that resources are used wisely to serve our communities we recognise the need for more research to strengthen what we already know.
At the final network session of the year, guest speaker: Lois Peach, Doctor of Philosophy, School for Policy Studies, Bristol Doctoral College talked about ‘Rebuilding Bridges’ an eight-week intergenerational music and song-writing project, led by Hugh Nankivell of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The project involved pre-school children and their childminders who visited residents of three local care homes for weekly music, singing and percussion groups between September to November 2021. Lois shared the journey of researching the project. Read our case study for more detail here.
Events
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Intergenerational Interventions An evidence gap map: bringing the research to you
Wednesday 7th June 2023, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
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Unifying Generations, Edwards Lifesciences
Thursday 21st September 2023, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
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Intergenerational Research Network Inspiring Leadership in Intergenerational Activism
Wednesday 1st November 2023, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Latest News
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International Collaborations
2 June 2023
We are delighted to have met with Dr Rosamund Harrington co-investigator on the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council funded Grandschools Project during her international visits to the UK. Read on and find out more.
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Volunteers Week 1- 7th June
1 June 2023
We are excited to celebrate volunteers week with a Big Thank You to volunteers with Generations Working Together and to all volunteers across the country.
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Scottish Older People's Assembly Newsletter
1 June 2023
The latest edition of the newsletter from SOPA offering news and acting as a voice from older people across Scotland.
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Intergenerational Ambassador Awards
30 May 2023
In Spain the Macrosad Chair in Intergenerational Studies creates the first national awards for intergenerational ambassadors.
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We're hiring....
30 May 2023
a P/T Communication and Digital Marketing Officer
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Loneliness Awareness Week
19 May 2023
The week from 12th to 18th June is dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and reducing stigma that surrounds it is hosted by The Marmalade Trust, a leading loneliness charity, working with all ages in the UK.