During SPA 2021, participants will have an opportunity to:
- Understand methodologies used in longitudinal studies of health and aging;
- Explore analytical approaches to the analysis of longitudinal data;
- Frame longitudinal research questions to address interdisciplinary research on aging and health;
- Increase awareness of potential research opportunities and the availability of data for trainees to undertake research using longitudinal studies on aging;
- Explore opportunities for data harmonization and pooling across national and international longitudinal studies and understand advantages and disadvantages of the data harmonization of longitudinal studies;
- Virtually interact with leading researchers and academic mentors in the field of longitudinal research from across the country and abroad;
- Develop skills in knowledge translation of longitudinal studies for various audiences (general public, media, health professionals, policymakers, decision-makers and industry);
- Develop skills in grant writing and peer review;
- Learn how to effectively communicate research findings to the public through traditional and social media;
- Gain an understanding of the studies and initiatives linked to the Institute of Aging’s major initiatives: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) – the Canadian Component of the CIHR Dementia Research Strategy;
- Understand ethical and social issues surrounding longitudinal studies;
- Build a professional interdisciplinary network of researchers interested in, or working in the area of, longitudinal research on aging;
- Promote skills training and career building relevant to cross-disciplinary, longitudinal research.