The McArdle Debate Series
Perspectives on Ageing Better; an evening of discussion and discovery.
Held in honour of Helen McArdle CBE and chaired by Professor David Burn (Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University), the next event in the McArdle Debate Series will bring together leading international experts in the field of ageing and health.
The event will include a panel discussion, audience questions and an informal networking reception.
We'll be joined by Professor Rose Gilroy (Professor of Ageing, Policy & Planning at Newcastle University), Professor Lynne Corner (Director of VOICE & COO of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing) and Barbara Douglas (Executive Officer at Newcastle Elders Council) who will explore:
- The all-important question of 'what is ageing?'
- The challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing society
- What does the future of care look like?
- How can we live longer and healthier lives?
The debate series was established in 2019 in recognition of the multi-million pound donation to Newcastle University from leading entrepreneur and philanthropist, Helen McArdle, in order to support pioneering research addressing the priorities of an ageing society.
The event acknowledges and celebrates the family's ongoing support and provides an opportunity for the wider public to learn about the University's work.
You can find out more about Helen McArdle and read bios for our panellists below.
Please note if you are unable to join us on campus, we will be livestreaming the event via Zoom so you can still listen in and share your thoughts on the day. Please let us know when you register if you’ll be joining us in-person or virtually.
Date: Tuesday 27 June 2023
Panel discussion: 18:00 - 19:00 (BST)
Networking reception: 19:00 - 20:00 (BST)
Location: The Catalyst, Newcastle University and live streamed online via Zoom
Helen McArdle CBE
Helen's support is changing the future of ageing and her donation is enabling Newcastle University to continue to be a global leader in ageing research. Thanks to Helen our research will continue to put the needs and perspectives of older people first. Our academics and clinicians will continue their vital research into critical subjects allied to ageing, like cognitive impairment and dementia, healthy life expectancy, assistive technologies and the built environment, the cost of care and the experience of carers.
The Helen McArdle Atrium is the publicly accessible area within the Catalyst Building. This building is host to three centres of innovation and excellence; the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA); the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD); and the National Institute for Health Research Innovation Observatory. All three centres are helping to bring applied and translational researchers into close and effective dialogue with older citizens, ensuring that scientific research is focused on the end-user, and informed by their needs and wants.
Professor David Burn (Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University)
Professor David Burn took up the position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in February 2017. He is also Professor of Movement Disorders Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Burn has an international reputation for research in dementia associated with Parkinson’s. He is an Emeritus NIHR Senior Investigator, chairs the NIHR Translational Research Collaboration for Dementia and is National Clinical Director for Parkinson's UK. He has been President of the Association of British Neurologists since May 2019.
Professor Lynne Corner (Director of VOICE & COO of NICA)
Professor Lynne Corner is co-founder and Director of VOICE and COO of NICA (National Innovation Centre for Ageing). VOICE is a large organisation established to harness the insights and experience of the public for research and innovation. She is a social gerontologist with over 20 years’ experience and has a particular interest in ageing, health and demographic change. Professor Corner also directs the NE Dementia Innovation Hub and Chairs the NE Dementia Alliance.
Barbara Douglas (Executive Officer at Newcastle Elders Council)
Barbara has worked in Newcastle upon Tyne on ageing issues since 1995. She worked with Action for Health – Senior Citizens in Newcastle, a pioneering group of older people whose work laid the foundation for what later became the Elders Council of Newcastle. Barbara was involved in national and international initiatives on ageing and supporting Newcastle’s endeavour to become an age-friendly city.
Professor Rose Gilroy (Professor of Ageing, Policy & Planning at Newcastle University)
Professor Gilroy’s work explores how home and neighbourhood supports quality of life in later life. As an academic situated in Planning, she is interested in the transactional relationship between people and their place that embraces how people individually and collectively may influence their environments. Prof. Gilroy has been a member of the School Management team for more than fifteen years and she is also the founder of the Future Homes Alliance Community Interest Company that will be building inter generational dwellings on the Helix site. She is the chair or Newcastle's Age Friendly City working group and a member of the British Society of Gerontology's Special Interest Group on Transport and Mobility.