Exploring Aging in Data: SSHRC Partnership Grant
Aging in Data is a transformative SSHRC Partnership Grant (2021-2028) that examines the intersection of aging and data. Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Karen Sawchuk, along with an interdisciplinary team of experts, this research explores how older adults interact with and are affected by digital data in today's society. The grant, totaling $2.5 million, brings together scholars from various fields to understand the role of data in aging processes and how it influences social, cultural, and technological landscapes.
The Larger Aging in Data Project
This project, funded by the SSHRC Partnership Grant, involves collaboration with researchers such as Dr. Suzanne Hebblethwaite, Dr. Lise Grenier, Dr. M. Fernández-Ardèvol, and many others, including McMaster's own Dr. Nicole K. Dalmer. The overarching goal is to examine how data shapes the lives of older adults, from their use of digital platforms to the implications of data-driven policies on their well-being. The project also seeks to highlight the underexplored areas of digital literacy, privacy, and the impact of the digital divide on aging populations.
You can read more about the full initiative and its goals on the official Aging in Data website.
Related Smaller Projects
From the larger Aging in Data project, Dr. Dalmer has been involved in several smaller projects that focus specifically on the relationship between older adults and their data environments.
Mapping Older Adults’ Dataspheres (2020-2023)
As part of the SSHRC Explore – Standard Research and Research Creation Grant, Dr. Dalmer led the project titled Mapping Older Adults’ Dataspheres. This project, with a grant amount of $6,902, explores how older adults perceive and engage with their personal data within digital spaces. It seeks to understand the connections between data privacy, digital inclusion, and older adults' sense of control over their information.Mapping Older Adults’ Data Worlds: A Pilot Study (2023-2024)
Co-led by Dr. Nicole K. Dalmer and Dr. Christina Biruk, this pilot study is part of the Aging in Data project and receives Seed Funding of $5,000. The project aims to map out the various data worlds older adults inhabit, investigating how data systems influence their daily lives and access to services.
For more details on these projects, check out the Mapping Projects page.
Why It Matters
Understanding how older adults interact with data is crucial in today’s digital age. Aging populations face unique challenges related to digital technology, such as barriers to accessing information and navigating complex systems. The research generated by Aging in Data provides critical insights into these issues, offering solutions to help improve the quality of life for older adults in a data-driven society.
This research has the potential to inform policy, guide future technological innovations, and provide actionable recommendations for ensuring that aging populations are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.
We invite everyone interested in aging, technology, and data to explore this essential research.