A Blog by Kyla Kovalik & Jess Downer
Kyla and Jess recently attended the 2025 MIRA & Labarge Knowledge Exchange at McMaster University’s newest campus space, The Hub. This annual event brings together researchers, trainees, community partners, and students to share ideas and build networks, all with a concentration on aging.
During the event, they presented the first phase of Dimension two, a co-designed “Tech Club”. This program is designed for older adults, including those living with dementia and their care partners, and is part of the broader EMPOWrD project (Enhancing Mobility and Participation for Older Adult Wellness through Digital Inclusion). Their presentation highlighted the collaborative co-design process and discussed preliminary findings.
The Knowledge Exchange featured 80+ presentations showcasing innovative aging research, creative strategies for knowledge translation, and approaches to strengthen community engagement. Featured research teams (MacM3, EMBOLDEN, and MIRA-iGen) emphasized interdisciplinary methods to address real-world challenges faced by aging populations.
For the dyad, the event was a great opportunity to learn about other age-friendly initiatives happening across the Greater Hamilton Area and to spotlight the ongoing work at the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging.
Scroll down to see the poster they shared at the event!
A huge thank you to funding provided by the MIRA and Labarge Grant that made this project possible.
Blog Posts, Gilbrea Student Research Spotlight Series