On February 21, 2025, the Center on Health, Aging, and Disability (CHAD), Collaborations in Health, Aging, Research, and Technology (CHART), and Collaborations in the Advancement of Research on Disability (CARD) hosted the “Community-University Engagement to Support Aging and Disability” symposium. This event was a collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University. It brought together over 100 community members, researchers, and professionals to discuss strategies for more effective and inclusive research efforts.
The symposium live-streamed presentations between Georgia and Illinois, offering insights from experts in community-engaged research. Wendy Rogers, Ph.D., Director of CHART, and Laura Rice, Ph.D., Director of CARD, provided overviews of their respective programs. Elena Remillard, M.S., from Georgia Tech, discussed best practices for involving older adults and underrepresented groups to uphold inclusive research. Susan Stark, Ph.D., from Washington University, shared personal stories and approaches to community-engaged research, highlighting the importance of trust and mutual respect between researchers and their communities.
The event concluded with a panel discussion about upholding university-community partnerships. The panel featured Cathy Emanuel of Advocates on Aging Care of Central Illinois, Mel Liong of PACE, Inc., Ian Rice, Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, and also Dr. Stark as the moderator. Attendees of the symposium garnered a newfound commitment to address the complex challenges of aging and disability through inclusive research and collaboration.
