The European Conference on Aging & Gerontology (EGen2019) Photo Report

Organised in partnership with The Bartlett Real Estate Institute at University College London (UCL), The National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA) and the IAFOR Research Centre at Osaka University, The European Conference on Aging & Gerontology (EGen) featured a star-studded lineup of globally renowned speakers, including Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro from Osaka University and Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories, ATR. Held in the heart of London at the Bartlett Real Estate Institute – recognised as the world’s leading faculty of the Built Environment – EGen is the newly launched sister conference to The Asian Conference on Aging & Gerontology (AGen), which has been held in Japan since 2015.

In his Virtual Keynote Presentation, Professor Ishiguro (pictured above) discussed his ground-breaking work in robotics and artificial intelligence, and the implications this research has for ageing populations.

Above, clockwise from top left: Dr Evangelia Chrysikou, from the host university, University College London (UK) welcomes delegates to IAFOR’s first annual European Conference on Aging & Gerontology. Dr Chrysikou moderates the Keynote Panel featuring Professor Paul Higgs (left) and Professor Nick Tyler, both from University College London (UK), as they discuss the issues raised throughout the plenary day and tie together the common themes of the conference. Professor Higgs delivers his Keynote Presentation, titled “The Challenge of the Fourth Age for Ageing Societies”, in which he explores growing disparities in how different sectors of the population face ageing. Delegates enjoy one of the many networking opportunities provided by the conference, discussing the day’s presentations, as well as their own research interests. The Bartlett Real Estate Institute (BREI) at University College London was a fantastic venue for the event.

Above left: Professor Tsuyoshi Sekitani, from Osaka University (Japan), takes questions following his Keynote Presentation, “Imperceptible Brain Monitoring System -Patch EEG-”, in which he explains cutting-edge technology in brain monitoring. Above right: Professor Shin-ichi Ohnuma, of University College London (UK), offers comments on the connections between UCL and Osaka University, and how British researchers are contributing to Japan’s attempts to face the issues of an ageing population.

Above, clockwise from top left: Dr Ryuji Yamazaki, from Osaka University and Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories (Japan) joined the event on behalf of Professor Ishiguro, and is seen here adding to the video address from Professor Ishiguro. Professor Haruko Satoh, of Osaka University (JAPAN), welcomes delegates on behalf of Osaka University and IAFOR. Professor Andrew Edkins, Bartlett Real Estate Institute, welcomes delegates on behalf of the host, BREI, and University College London. Though circumstances prevented Professor James Barlow of Imperial College London (UK) from attending in person, he shows his commitment to the event by delivering a Keynote Presentation via video address. His presentation, titled “Why Successful Ageing Needs Innovation in the Built Environment”, explores the significant advancements in architecture and engineering to address the needs of ageing populations. A group of speakers, organisers, and delegates take time for a group photo in the midst of a busy day of presentations and discussions.