The workshop opened with a series of speed talks in which FLFs and their labs (Dayne Beccano-Kelly, Cardiff University; Sarah Inskip, University of Leicester; Jennifer MacRitchie, University of Sheffield; Noemi Procopio, University of Central Lancashire; Oliver Robinson, Imperial College London; Tammy Tong, University of Oxford; Martina Zimmermann, King’s College London) presented summaries of their research to each other in five-minute presentations. They described the aims of their projects, while reflexively interrogating the limits and challenges they face – with a particular view to invite potential interdisciplinary collaborations to resolve gaps and to share methods and perspectives.
FLFs heard a range of exciting talks from across fields: mapping out the role of synaptic dysfunction in the development of Parkinson’s disease; an intersectional project on tobacco, health, and history; a community-focused experiential project on new musical technologies especially for adults with dementia; and “ageing” in the context of forensics. Other talks introduced an investigation into what actually happens to our bodies as we get older, to apprehend the ageing process divorced from the cultural narratives about the body’s decline; a project on plant-based diets and long-term health; and overcoming pessimism about ageing in culture and policy through a synthesis of empirical research, the medical sciences, and literary analysis.
The second part of the day was led by facilitator Kate Kellett of the Horizons Institute at the University of Leeds, which works with academics to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, so that we are equipped to diversify knowledge and communicate as a research community on ageing. The first exercise Kate led for the FLFs was a challenge to researchers to discuss and find commonalities in the methodologies they use to perform their research. Researchers asked each other about the kinds of data or information they collect, why and how that data is used, and what is done with that data to reach across disciplinary boundaries.
Next, Kate asked: What don’t we know? FLFs were asked to write questions to identify gaps between disciplines. This was intended to show where innovative approaches, ideas, and potential collaborations could be developed.
Finally, Kate grouped the FLFs depending on a particular research question about ageing they would be interested to explore, challenging them conceiving of different projects in which every member played a significant role with their respective research and methods, to model the interdisciplinary collaboration the research community will benefit from, and be enriched by.