Two PhD students presented their doctoral projects on site at UN City in Copenhagen, followed by a discussion. One of them was SWEAH PhD student Helena Bjurbäck, Linköping University.
– I was invited to represent ASC Linköping University and I took part in the workshop session 'Exploring Research on Age-Friendly Communities', she says.
The session aimed to highlight new and ongoing research on age-friendly communities and was followed by a discussion with the audience and Christine E. Swane, Director and Head of Research, The EGV Foundation (Social Inclusion of Older Adults) and Marie Konge Nielsen, Associate Professor, University College Absalon, both from Denmark.
– I received very positive feedback from the audience. I have engaged in interdisciplinary exchange, and connected with researchers and practioners from other countries. I return to Sweden enriched and inspired for the continued work.
Her doctoral project is 'Welfare Logics and Organizational Practices at the Local Level: Preventing Complex Social Problems Among Older Adults in Contact with Social Services'.
– At this stage, wile my ethical approval is underway and data collection is just around the corner, you can feel a bit nervous presenting your project. But I really encourage other PhD students to take these opportunities. Stepping onto the ice, so to speak, only brings benefits. Getting input from highly experienced researchers was incredibly valuable and gave me a lot to reflect on before launching the study. Having others’ eyes on your work early on is truly gold, Bjurbäck continues.
SWEAH's coordinator, Professor Susanne Iwarsson, was also present.
– Since we conduct research on initiatives to help create age-friendly societies, based on the World Health Organization's model for 'Age-friendly Cities and Communities', it was interesting to participate and hear about initiatives in various Nordic and Baltic countries, says Iwarsson.