Generations at Work

A Fairer Future for Learning, Earning, and Longevity

About the Conference

22nd/23rd October 2026

Dublin City University, St Patrick’s Campus, Dublin, Ireland.

Dublin City University’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) Office is pleased to invite you to be part of an important European conversation at its international conference, ‘Generations at Work: A Fairer Future for Learning, Earning and Longevity’, taking place in Dublin on 22 and 23 October 2026.

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, bringing together representatives from government departments and state agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations, academia, students, policymakers 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.

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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.

Conference Programme

Time	Main Sessions · Auditorium
08.30–09.15	Registration
09.15–09.30	Welcome to DCU: Professor Dáire Keogh, President, Dublin City University A message from Mr Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director & Chief Knowledge Officer, World Bank Group. Event host: Dr Christine O'Kelly, Director, Age-Friendly University Unit, Dublin City University
Learning for Life
09.30–10.00	Keynote 1: Prof Marvin Formosa, University of Malta and International Institute on Ageing, United Nations - Malta “Learning for Life in an Ageing Society: Rethinking Lifelong Learning for Longer Lives”
	Moderator: Prof Nadežda Hrapková, Comenius University Bratislava
10.00–10.15	Prof Marian Alesón-Carbonell, University of Alicante “Why Learn in Later Life? The Silent Revolution in Older-Adult University Education”
10.15–10.30	Dr Trudy Corrigan, Dublin City University “Beyond Age — Building an Age-Positive Workforce: Interactive Online Module to Address Ageism in the Workplace”
10.30–10.40	Q&A and Discussion
10.40–10.55	Networking & Coffee Break (B103)
10.55–11.10	Dr Sinéad Keogh, Atlantic Technological University “From Theory to Lived Experience: Intergenerational Dialogue as an Inclusive Pedagogy for Economics Education”
11.10–11.25	Dr José Israel Reyes, Open University of Catalonia “Understanding the experiences of older adult students in online higher education”
11.25–11.40	Colette Burns, TU Dublin “From Mutual Learning to Age-Friendly Campuses: Universal Design Recommendations from the Higher Education Institutions as Places for People Project”
11.40–11.55	Q&A and Discussion
11.55–12.30	Kat Rogan Kissane, Create What's Next Coaching Workshop – “The Compounding Life: Redesigning Learning, Work, and Contribution for a 100-Year Life”
12.30–13.15	Lunch & Networking (B103)

Time	Main Sessions · Auditorium
Work for All Ages
13.15–13.45	Keynote 2: Dr Mario Nava, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission “From Longer Lives to Better Working Lives: A European Policy Agenda for All Generations”
	Moderator: Dr Aurora Trif, Associate Professor, HRM, DCU Business School
13.45–14.00	Dr Daniela Craveiro, Universidade de Lisboa “Does Age Matter? Generative AI Use and Perceived Working Life Expectancy Across Career Stages”
14.00–14.15	Mary Fitzsimons, Age Friendly Ireland “Age Friendly Workplaces”
14.15–14.30	Prof Lisbeth Drury, University of London “How Workplace Age-Diverse Friendships Can Benefit Society at Large”
14.30–14.45	Q&A and Discussion
14.45–15.20	Caroline McMenamin, Ulster University Workshop – “Cultural Competence and Age Inclusion: Experiencing the Hidden Impact of Age Assumptions at Work”
15.20–15.35	Dr Eloi Ribe, University of Southampton “Drivers and barriers to Return-to-Work and remaining in work: experiences of older Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women in London and South-East England”
15.35–15.50	Sophie Butler and Dr Trudy Corrigan, Dublin City University “The SNAW Model: A Multilevel Approach to Combating Ageism in the Workplace”
15.50–16.05	Caroline McMenamin & Ciara Barry, Ulster University “Taking the Life Stage Approach: Creating a Workplace for All Ages”
16.05–16.30	Q&A and Discussion
16.30–16.40	Dr Christine O'Kelly, Director, Age-Friendly University Unit, DCU Day One Wrap-Up
18.30	Conference Dinner Dinner served at 18.30. If you have booked for the Dinner, please collect a ticket at the Registration Desk

Time	Main Sessions · Auditorium
08.30–09.00	Registration
09.00–09.05	Welcome Dr Christine O'Kelly \| Director, Age-Friendly University Unit, Dublin City University
Healthy Work Futures
09.05–09.35	Keynote 3: Mr Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights (2019-2024)
	Moderator: Prof Edel Conway, Human Resource Management and Organisational Psychology, Business School, Dublin City University
09.35–09.50	Dr Odile Robotti, Learning Edge srl “Careers That Age Well by Design: An Age-Friendly Architecture for Sustainable Working Lives”
09.50–10.05	Alanna Cuvelier, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya “Recommendations for a Healthy Transition to Retirement: A Delphi Study”
10.05–10.20	Q&A and Discussion
10.20–10.35	Networking & Coffee Break (B103)
10.35–11.05	Keynote 4: Dr Franz Ferdinand Eiffe, Senior Expert in Health and Future of Work, Eurofound “Making Longer Working Lives Sustainable in an Ageing Europe”
	Moderator: Prof Edel Conway, Dublin City University
11.05–11.25	Dr Maeve Liston and Patricia O’Sullivan, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland “Older Adult and Student Wellbeing Outcomes from Engagement in Age Friendly Campus Programmes”
11.25–11.55	Mags Treanor, Next Decade Workshop – “Staying Active Is Not Enough: Changing Internal Ageism When There Is No Template to Follow”
Community Innovation
11.55–12.25	Keynote 5: Dr Evdokimos Konstantinidis, Vice President and Chairperson, European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) “Co-Creating Age-Friendly Communities through Community Innovation” Q&A and Discussion
	Moderator: Prof José Jesús Delgado Peña, University of Málaga
12.25–13.10	Lunch & Networking (B103)

Time	Main Sessions · Auditorium
13.10–13.30	Joana Portugal, Aproximar, Cooperativa de Solidariedade Social “Civic engagement to promote lifelong democratic values” Q&A and Discussion
13.30–14.00	Dr Gurusharan Singh Gogna, The King's Hospital School, Dublin Workshop – “Bridging Generations, One Tap at a Time”
Intergenerational Fairness
14.00–14.30	Keynote 6: Mr Patrick Penninckx, Secretary General, European Seniors' Union “Intergenerational Fairness in Europe: From Generational Competition to Shared Responsibility”
	Moderator: Prof Marian Alesón-Carbonell, University of Alicante
14.30–15.00	Panel Discussion \| Intergenerational Fairness Cross-generational panel on structural inequalities between generations in an evolving Europe Ciara O'Brien, Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate Aoibhínn Doyle: Vice-President, ISSU (Irish Second-Level Students’ Union) Alison Bough, Active Retirement Ireland and AGE Platform Europe Representative
15.00–15.15	Prof Lia Araújo, Universidade Politécnica de Viseu, Portugal Short Videos, Long Lives: Connecting Generations Through Life Stories
15.15–15.45	Dr Chang Su-Russell, Illinois State University, USA Workshop – “Designing A Sustainable Day of Celebration of Inclusive Intergenerational Environments to Support Innovative Lifelong Learning”
15.45–16.00	Catherine Pemble, University of Stirling, United Kingdom Terms and Conditions Apply: Technology, the Changing Social Contract of Work, and the Intergenerational Politics of Compliance
16.00–16.20	Q&A and Discussion
16.20–16.30	Closing Remarks Dr Christine O'Kelly, Director, Age-Friendly University Unit, DCU

Time	Parallel Sessions · Room B118
	Moderator: Ms Michele Pringle, Dublin City University
09.35–09.50	Dr Desalegn Melika Geleta, Kim Jiwon, Prof Myung Bae Park, Yonsei University, South Korea “Changes in Loneliness, Depression, and Cognitive Function Following a Community-Based Social Prescribing Programme in South Korea”
09.50–10.20	Joana Portugal, Aproximar, Cooperativa de Solidariedade Social Workshop – “Intergenerational Citizenship Intervention between Higher Education Students and Older Adults to Foster Community-led projects: an Experiential and Reflective Knowledge Transfer Session”
10.20–10.35	Networking & Coffee Break (B103)
	Moderator: Ms Michele Pringle, Dublin City University
13.10–13.30	Kim Jiwon, Dr Desalegn Melika Geleta, Prof Myung Bae Park, Yonsei University “Age-Friendly Universities, Cities, and Communities: A Bibliometric Analysis of a Growing Field”
13.30–13.50	Boubetra Issam Sid Ahmed, University of Bordj Bou Arréridj, Algeria “Community Innovation for Age-Friendly Societies: A Euro-Mediterranean Perspective”
13.50–14.00	Q&A and Discussion
	Moderator: Dr Waqar Ahmed, AFU, Dublin City University
15.05–15.20	Naila Beddar, Université Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi, Algeria “Healthy Work Futures in Ageing Societies: Occupational Health, Sustainable Careers and Age-Inclusive Workplaces - A Comparative Perspective from Algeria, France and Spain”
15.20–15.35	Dr Syeda Iqra Shabbir, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom “Algorithmic Childhood and Intergenerational Fairness: Social Media Recommender Systems, Adolescent Mental Health, and Digital Literacy Policy in England”
15.35–15.45	Q&A and Discussion

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Conference Venue

The conference will take place in the Auditorium (Room B108), DCU St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Parallel sessions on Day 2 (23 October) will take place in Room B118.

View the campus location on Google Maps

DCU Campus Maps and Directions

DCU Car Parking Information

Key Dates

Call opens

Submission deadline

Notification of acceptance

Early bird registration

Final paper submission deadline

Registration 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.

Prof. Marvin Formosa

Department of Gerontology and Dementia Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta

Learning for Life

Mr Mario Nava

Director General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

Work for All Ages

Mr Nicolas Schmit

EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights (2019-2024)

Healthy Work Futures: Policy and Practice in an Ageing Europe

Mr Franz Ferdinand Eiffe

Senior Expert in Health and Future of Work, Eurofound

Healthy Work Futures: Policy and Practice in an Ageing Europe

Mr Patrick Penninckx

Secretary General of the European Seniors' Union

Intergenerational Fairness

Evdokimos Konstantinidis

Vice-Chair, European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL)

Community Innovation

Ms Alison Bough

Active Retirement Ireland

AGE Platform Europe

Aoibhínn Doyle

Vice-President ISSU (Irish Second-level Students Union)

Intergenerational Fairness Panel Speaker

Ciara O’Brien

Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate for 2026-2027

Intergenerational Fairness Panel Speaker

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Conference Attendance Costs

One Day

Early Bird Rate (September 6th)

€120

For AFUGN Members (Early Bird)

€100

Standard Rate

€150

Older People

Students

EFOS/U3A members

€50

Two Days

Early Bird Rate (September 6th)

€200

For AFUGN Members (Early Bird)

€180

Standard Rate

€250

Older People

Students

EFOS/U3A members

€100

Gala Dinner

(Optional)

€60

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

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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Generations at Work

A Fairer Future for Learning, Earning, and Longevity

About the Conference

Conference Registration

Conference Themes

Learning for Life

Work for All Ages

Healthy Work Futures

Community Innovation

Intergenerational Fairness

Conference Programme

Conference Venue

View the campus location on Google Maps

DCU Campus Maps and Directions

DCU Car Parking Information

Key Dates

Generations at Work

Review Process

Confirmed Speakers and Panels

Prof. Marvin Formosa

Mr Mario Nava

Mr Nicolas Schmit

Mr Franz Ferdinand Eiffe

Mr Patrick Penninckx

Evdokimos Konstantinidis

Ms Alison Bough

Aoibhínn Doyle

Ciara O’Brien

Conference Attendance Costs

One Day

Two Days

Gala Dinner

Accommodation

Dublin One Hotel

Dublin Skylon Hotel

Maldron Hotel Croke Park

The Coke Park Hotel

Castle Hotel

Meet the Organisers