The Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre
SPARC was established in 2005 with the view to analysing the social policy ramifications of population ageing in Ireland and in the comparative perspective. Fundamental to the Centre's work is the belief that research has a central role to play in making Ireland a better place to grow old in.
SPARC's mission is three-fold:
Production of high-quality, comparative and policy-relevant research into the social policy impacts and implications of ageing. The main vehicle for disseminating this is publication in international peer-reviewed journals and books.
Using research findings to generate policy advice and insights that can in turn be used by policy makers and practitioners to improve the lives of older people. The main vehicles for this purpose are concise Policy Briefings and seminars / conferences.
Fostering a new cohort of social gerontologists trained to PhD level. SPARC hosts a community of young researchers and provides them with the physical infrastructure and networks to reach both policy makers and practitioners in Ireland, and fellow researchers in other countries.
Recent News
Dr Suzanne Cahill- Research Associate Professor hosts a Symposium titled 'Dementia and Caregiving' involving Professor Steve Zarit
Pictured Dr Suzanne Cahill and Dr Ana Diaz Ponce
On Friday May 23rd a Symposium titled Dementia and Caregiving involving Professor Steve Zarit (Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Penn State University USA) as key note speaker was hosted by the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, the School and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology NUI Galway. The event was organized by Dr Suzanne Cahill- Research Associate Professor in the School and attracted an audience of some 100 academics, researchers, service providers and caregivers including health service professionals and family members. The Symposium was opened by the Provost and involved speakers from the School including Dr Caroline O’Nolan, Adjunct Assistant Professor who reported on DSIDC’s new findings emerging from a national survey of Nursing Homes in Ireland and Dr Ana Diaz Ponce who presented key findings from her PhD thesis recently awarded and undertaken in the School. Ana’s PhD was written on the topic of quality of life and anti-dementia drugs and used a social constructionist approach. Other speakers on the day included Professor Eamon O’Shea Health Economist from NUI Galway and Professor Charles Normand. The event got good media coverage see the following http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0523/619178-dementia/
27th May 2014
New study on intergenerational solidarity and justice in Ireland launched by TCD and NUI Galway. Further information available at www.sparc.tcd.ie/generations/