Arts, Ageing and Meaning

Public Lecture online presented by the Irish Gerontological Society
which is an all-Ireland interdisciplinary professional organisation which enables research, education and practice in the field of ageing. As part of our work we conduct a public lecture series, supported by the HSE, which aims to provide informative lectures to the general public on topics related to health and ageing.

Topic: ‘Arts, Ageing and Meaning’

This public lecture will address the topic of arts and ageing, the evidence for the health benefits of arts and how engagement in arts, culture and creative activities can promote greater meaning for older people.

Speaker: Prof Brian Lawlor

Brian Lawlor is a professor of old age psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, and Site Director of GBHI at Trinity. He is a geriatric psychiatrist with an interest in dementia, late-life depression, loneliness and brain health. Brian has worked for over 30 years on developing services and delivering care to people with dementia. His research interests range from early detection and prevention to evaluating new treatments for dementia.

Chair: Dr Emer Ahern, IGS President

Panellists

Sheena Barrett is Head of Research and Learning at IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art. She joined IMMA in 2023 from Dublin City Council where she led the development of the LAB Gallery as a critical platform for arts practice in Ireland. Having previously held roles at Breaking Ground Public Art Commissioning Programme, Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland, she has extensive curatorial, arts and health and education experience, supporting artists and audiences through ambitious public programmes and commissioning. Sheena is a graduate of Art History, Arts Management and Cultural Policy from UCD and a Visual Thinking Strategies trainer and coach.
Dominic Campbell, Creative Ageing International, Atlantic Felllow
Nick Johnson, Trinity Arts and Drama faculty