Launch of SHAPES project

Monday, November 11, 2019 - 09:15

The ALL (Assisting Living & Learning) Institute at Maynooth University are proud to lead €21 million European Commission funded SHAPES health research project – the largest ever Horizon 2020 health grant led by an Irish university.
The research project consists of a consortium of 36 partners across 14 European countries, and will run for four years.

ALL Institute members from Maynooth involved are Mac MacLachlan, Michael Cooke, Melanie Labor, Deirdre Desmond, Rebecca McGuire (Psychology), Delia Ferri (Law), Rudi Villing (Engineering), Jamie Saris and David Prendergast (Anthropology).
The SHAPES acronym stands for Smart and Healthy Ageing through People Engaging in supportive Systems, and Irish partners include UCC and Access Earth Ltd (a Maynooth Campus Company); along with the University of Ulster and the Northern Health and Social Services Trust, in Northern Ireland.

Citizens in a rapidly ageing European population are at greater risk of cognitive impairment, frailty and multiple chronic health conditions with considerable negative consequences for their independence, quality of life and for the sustainability of health and care systems. SHAPES recognises that a technology platform for smart and healthy ageing (SHA) has to work in different ways for different people. Older individuals will be attracted to and use the SHAPES Platform (the Platform) because it makes life easier for them, prevents difficulties, or helps to manage them; be they psychological, social, medical, or otherwise.

Monday 11th November: Maynooth University has announced that it will lead SHAPES, a major new health research project that will undertake research aimed at helping Europe’s ageing population to live actively and independently at home in their communities with the support of assisted living technology.
SHAPES research aims to foster the large-scale deployment of integrated digital solutions which will bring greater independence and improved quality of life to citizens while demonstrating significant efficiency gains in health and care delivery across Europe.

Commenting on the launch, Professor Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University, said:

“This project is an important milestone for Maynooth University. Issues relating to age, health and well-being, and social inclusion affect communities globally. We are proud that we have the opportunity to play a leading role in this important research, working with a diverse group of experts and institutions from across Europe. The project is also a welcome endorsement of the strength of our research culture at Maynooth University, our ambition, our interdisciplinary approach, and our continued focus on research with meaningful impact.”