The Carolina Aging Network Research Workgroup met on September 25, 2024 to advance its 2024-2025 goals of developing concrete and effective tools to mobilize and support research in aging at the University of North Carolina.
The Research Workgroup discussed the emerging Carolina Aging Network Directory, which houses information about aging-related programs, institutes, centers, and initiatives affiliated with a North Carolina university or college, as well as people and community organizations involved in aging-related initiatives. Workgroup members reviewed the current data and structure of the directory and identified next steps for soliciting data and sharing with relevant audiences.
As part of its discussion about the CAN Directory, the Workgroup also identified existing resources that share information about research studies and explored avenues for collaboration to highlight and support recruitment for aging-related studies. In this process, the Workgroup also identified existing datasets and participant registries related to aging research. The team is in conversation with academic colleagues and will continue to update the CAN website with relevant information as it becomes available.
Finally, the Research Workgroup began envisioning a Carolina Aging Advisory Board to ensure CAN initiatives are in partnership with and responsive to community goals and needs. The workgroup imagined the advisory board as comprised of older adults from communities across the state, as well as organizations that work with older adults and related experts/mentors. This process is still in its early stages, and we hope to extend the conversation to our community in the coming months.
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