Our Future is Aging: Multidisciplinary Research Informing People, Policy & Practice

General Information

The Our Future is Aging conference will provide a unique opportunity for established and emerging researchers, scientists, educators, practitioners, artists, policy makers, and community members who are interested and engaged in research on aging to share and benefit from the latest evidence and discuss existing collaborations in research on aging, and foster new ones.

The conference theme – Our Future is Aging – captures where we are as a society: A large proportion of our population is aging and the effects of this demographic shift will be felt across multiple sectors. The “Our” in Our Future is Aging also reflects a fundamental value of age-related research communities: that population aging is a collective issue which requires a multifaceted, collaborative and integrated approach.

The conference sub-theme – Multidisciplinary Research Informing People, Policy & Practice – addresses the importance of new knowledge to institutions, communities and individuals’ everyday life and the realization that aging is best understood and knowledge advanced through multidisciplinary approaches.

Abstract Information: In addition to plenary sessions featuring high-calibre speakers, the conference will feature work providing latest evidence on a wide range of aging-related topics spanning from the natural, physical, social and health sciences, to the humanities and arts. All submissions must represent original work that has not been previously presented or published. Your work may align with the open call or support the conference’s aim to provide participants with focused learning through its special call topics. Submissions are encouraged from diverse perspectives, communities, fields, professions and disciplines. Abstracts may be submitted in either official language – English or French – which should reflect the language of presentation. Please note that while we accept presentations in English or French, there will be no simultaneous translation services provided by organizers. Abstracts accepted for presentation will be reviewed through a blind-peer review process.

Open Call:

Anyone undertaking research on aging is invited to submit an abstract for consideration that shares new knowledge on any aspect of aging, advances understanding of theories and methods, or provides evidence on practice or policy that support older adults and/or their families.

Special Calls:

Individuals are encouraged to submit abstracts that address any of these focused topics:

1. “Crossing Boundaries and Building Collaborations” – There is a growing attention to research that is interdisciplinary, and opportunities are needed for researchers within universities, health care, and community-based organizations to learn about collaborative success. Proposals are encouraged that demonstrate interdisciplinary work and offer an opportunity to share promising practices in multi- and interdisciplinary research and practice.
2. “Different Ways of Knowing and Mobilizing Knowledge” – There is increasing awareness of the strengths of different methodologies and approaches to understanding aging-related issues as well as innovation in mobilizing new knowledge. Proposals are encouraged that enhance understanding of novel approaches regarding knowledge translation and knowledge mobilization practices.
3. “Citizen Engagement” – The role of individuals to whom the research is most likely to impact is increasingly being called for in study designs. Proposals are encouraged that demonstrate authentic and meaningful ways to engage people with lived experience in the research and how such engagement strengthens research outcomes.

Presentation Formats

Abstracts of 250 words maximum may be submitted for oral, poster, or workshop presentations. Sessions will be in increments of 90-minute blocks, with typically three presentations per block for oral presentations.

Guidelines for Presentation Formats

Oral – Presenters will have 20-30 minutes, depending on the number of other presentations in the same 90-minute block. Oral presentations will be grouped by the organizers within a session according to the topic stream, or abstract focus and offered as a concurrent session during a time slot with other concurrent sessions. Organizers will assign a Chair to moderate the session.

Poster – The program will have a dedicated time for poster presentations. Material will be mounted on poster boards provided by the organizers, and the “presenting” author is required to be present during the scheduled session. Information about poster size requirements will be provided. Organizers do not cover the costs of printing. Note: There will be a competition for student/trainee authored poster presentations.

Workshop – Workshops may be 60- or 90-minutes in length and involve one or two leaders who organize a systematic exchange of ideas or conduct a demonstration or application of techniques and/or skills. Abstracts should include a brief description of how the workshop will be facilitated, the activities it will involve, the methodological approach, and the desired learning outcomes.

Organizers reserve the right to ask you to make a different type of presentation than the one you proposed; e.g., a poster rather than oral presentation. If the abstract is accepted, the presenting author will be required to register and pay the registration fee.