Generations at Work

A Fairer Future for Learning, Earning, and Longevity

Call for Papers
22nd/23rd October 2026
Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin, Ireland

Dublin City University’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) office is pleased to invite submissions for the conference “Generations at Work: A Fairer Future for Learning, Earning and Longevity”, scheduled for October 22nd /23rd 2026 in  Dublin, Ireland.

The conference will bring together a diverse range of perspectives on demographic change and longer working lives across Europe. It is designed as a multi-stakeholder dialogue, with participants drawn from government departments and state agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations, academia, students, policy makers, and sectoral leaders. Older and younger participants whose voices are central to discussions on intergenerational fairness will also take part.

Conference Registration

Conference registration is now open. Please use the links below to register and pay for your ticket. You will also find instructions on how to use the payment system.

Payment Link
Payment Instructions
Refund Policy

Conference Themes

The programme is organised around five thematic strands to reflect key policy debates emerging across Europe in response to demographic change and longer working lives. Authors are invited to submit contributions aligned with one or more of the following strands.

Learning for Life

Contributions may address access to upskilling and reskilling, digital literacy, age-inclusive pedagogies, intergenerational knowledge transfer in workplaces, and the alignment of learning pathways with evolving labour market demands. The suggested topics will address issues such as how education and training systems can adapt to support lifelong learning in an ageing society.

Work for All Ages

Contributions may explore flexible working arrangements, age discrimination, flexible career paths across generations, the economic value of age-diverse workforces, and policy interventions that extend sustainable working lives. Submissions may address how labour markets and workplaces can become more inclusive for workers across the life course.

Healthy Work Futures

Contributions may examine workplace wellbeing, occupational health in ageing workforces, mental health at work, sustainable careers and ergonomic design, and preventive health strategies. Authors may submit work examining how European policy and labour market evidence can support inclusive, age-diverse workplaces and sustainable working lives.

Community Innovation

The theme would examine how innovative approaches can build inclusive, age-friendly communities and strengthen citizen engagement. Contributions may address local solutions to demographic challenges, living labs, participatory design, local governance innovation, and the link between demographic change and democratic participation.

Intergenerational Fairness

The theme focuses on how policy frameworks can promote equity and solidarity between generations. Contributions may consider the distribution of resources and opportunities across age groups, intergenerational dialogue, and the perspectives of both older and younger citizens on shared challenges.

Types of Submission

The conference welcomes submissions from researchers, practitioners, policy makers, civil society representatives, and postgraduate students. Diverse perspectives encouraged, including underrepresented voices. The following types of submission are accepted.

Full Papers

At this stage, authors are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the research question or topic, the methodology or approach, and the expected contribution. Abstracts should clearly indicate the conference theme(s). and the submission type to which the submission relates. Authors of accepted abstracts will be invited to submit a full paper (3,000 to 5,000 words) at a later date.

Practice Briefs

Practice briefs provide an opportunity to share lessons from programmes, projects, or policy initiatives relevant to the conference themes. Submissions should be between 500 and 1,500 words and should describe the context, the approach taken, outcomes achieved, and key lessons learned.

Panel

Each theme will feature a keynote speaker with relevant expertise, followed by a presentation of conference papers and a panel discussion.

Extended Abstracts

Extended abstracts should be between 500 and 1,000 words and should outline the research question or topic, the methodology or approach, and preliminary findings or expected contributions.

Parallel Workshops and Interactive Sessions

Proposals are invited for dynamic 40-minute sessions that add a creative, participatory dimension to the conference themes. Sessions should actively engage participants through collaborative dialogue, hands-on activities, or practical problem-solving, moving beyond traditional presentation formats to create meaningful shared experiences.
Submissions should include:

  • A session title aligned with the conference themes
  • A description (max. 500 words) outlining the concept, format, and participant engagement
  • Intended learning outcomes
  • A clear outline of the interactive and creative approach (e.g. co-creation, design thinking, storytelling, simulations, or experiential learning)

We particularly welcome proposals that inspire participation, spark new ideas, and foster collaboration across disciplines and generations.

Poster Presentations

Poster submissions offer an opportunity to present research visually and to engage attendees in focused, one-to-one discussions. Submissions should include an abstract of no more than 300 words summarising the research question, methods, and key findings. Accepted posters will be displayed during a dedicated poster session, where presenters will have the opportunity to discuss their work with conference delegates.

Submission Guidelines

All submission should be in English

Documents should be submitted in PDF or Word format (.pdf or .docx)

Indicate the conference theme(s) to which your submission relates

Include a title page with the paper title, author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact email address.

References should follow a recognised academic citation style (e.g. APA, Harvard)

Upload Your Submission

Key Dates

Call opens
Submission deadline
Notification of acceptance
Early bird registration
Registration deadline
Final paper submission deadline

Generations at Work

A Fairer Future for Learning, Earning and Longevity

Review Process

All submissions will be reviewed for relevance, originality, and impact by members of the conference committee. Authors will receive feedback within the timeline outlined above.

Confirmed Speakers and Panels

Several high-profile speakers have already confirmed their participation. The confirmed and invited speakers include the following.

Together, these panels will provide a compelling dialogue bridging European policy and research evidence on the future of work, workplace wellbeing, and intergenerational cooperation in an ageing society.

Upload Your Submission

Conference Attendance Costs

One Day
Early Bird Rate (September 1st)
€120
For AFUGN Members (Early Bird)
€100
After September 1st
€150
Older People
Students
EFOS/U3A members
€50
Two Days
Early Bird Rate (September 1st)
€200
For AFUGN Members (Early Bird)
€180
After September 1st
€250
Older People
Students
EFOS/U3A members
€100
Gala Dinner
(Optional)
€60
Cultural Visit
(Optional)
€25

Accommodation

A limited number of discounted rates are available at the hotels listed below. Delegates should book directly with the hotel using the relevant discount code.
Dublin One Hotel

Discount code: PERKUP

The code is now live on the hotel website.
View Website
Dublin Skylon Hotel

Discount code: DCUGW26

The code is now live on the hotel website.
View Website
Recommended Hotels with access to DCU
Maldron Hotel Croke Park
View Website
The Coke Park Hotel
View Website
Castle Hotel
View Website

Meet the Organisers

Email Christine

Dr. Christine O’Kelly is Director of the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Unit at Dublin City University and a leading advocate for lifelong learning, intergenerational engagement, and age equality in higher education. She has played a central role in the development and global expansion of the Age-Friendly University initiative, which was pioneered at DCU and is now adopted by universities worldwide.

With over 30 years’ experience in ageing policy and practice, Dr. O’Kelly is a recognised changemaker in advancing inclusive education across the life course. She serves on the Executive Board of the AFU Global Network and supports higher education institutions internationally in embedding age-friendly principles in teaching, research, and civic engagement.

Dr. O’Kelly leads a major DCU programme involving over 2,500 older adults each year through education, research, and community initiatives. She secured Erasmus+ Adult Education Accreditation for DCU, making it Ireland’s first university with this honour. Her European research focuses on intergenerational fairness, digital inclusion, and dementia-friendly cultural participation, and she champions universities’ roles in combating ageism and fostering inclusive communities.

She welcomes opportunities to collaborate on age-related research, intergenerational learning, and innovative approaches to lifelong learning.

Email Waqar

Dr. Waqar Ahmed works as a Research Assistant at Dublin City University’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) Unit, where he supports funded research on ageing, participation, and inclusion. In this role, he contributes to project coordination, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, with particular interests in lifelong learning, digital inclusion, and communication.

He holds a PhD in Communication from DCU, where his doctoral research examined how Irish podcasters perform authenticity. Waqar has taught at DCU as both a Lecturer and tutor and has worked as a media producer, bringing practical communication and production experience into his academic and engagement work.

Waqar has also served as a member of the DCU Governing Authority and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Research Committee. In addition, he has contributed to national quality assurance and student representation through his roles as a committee chair with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and as Vice President of the Union of Students in Ireland.

Across these positions, in Ireland and internationally, he combines academic expertise, governance experience, and a strong commitment to inclusion to support impactful, research-informed practice in higher education and civic life.

For any questions related to conference registration, paper submissions or any related matter, please contact the conference team at afuconference@dcu.ie

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