Dementia Lab Conference 2022

About the Dementia Lab Conference

Established in 2016, the Dementia Lab is a growing community that continues to build on a legacy of work done for and with people living with dementia and their surrounding context. Approached from an inclusive, participatory and person-centered perspective, the Dementia Lab Conference allows for focused discussion with like-minded designers, researchers, carers and other professionals operating within this domain. Where in other venues it might be challenging to convey the experience of working with people with dementia, or the urgency of working in this field, the Dementia Lab Conference tries to provide a platform of inclusion. As the number of people with dementia continues to increase world wide, designers, educators and carers are continuously presented with new challenges. As a collective network, we believe that design can help to harness the power of technology, services, environments and engagements to alleviate these challenges, and contribute to the quality of life, care and wellbeing of people living with dementia

The theme of the Dementia Lab Conference 2022 will look at the value of participation within design across three levels:

• Personal level: what does participatory practices bring for a person with dementia, what does it bring for the designer; can a design or the design process ameliorate the way people with dementia interact with families, and can design stimulate intergenerational dialogue?
• On a product level: what is ‘good’ design for people with dementia; what are the enabling qualities of design; what vision of a person with dementia do you ‘inscribe’ into a design, and how can a design hinder or support a person with dementia view on the world?
• On an organisational level: how can a design process or artefact support a care organisation or influence a person with dementia’s ecology (family, partners, friends); how will design be critical or supportive of existing views in society on people with dementia; etc.

Programme

The Dementia Lab Conference 2022 promises to be another three days of engaging discussions, networking with international colleagues and inspiring stories from people with dementia, their carers and companies developing products on the frontlines. A mix of keynotes, lectures, workshops and exploratory exhibitions, the conference will give participants an opportunity to engage with the subject while exploring one of Belgium’s most historic cities and one of Europe’s oldest universities.

Conference Location

The Dementia Lab 2022 will be hosted by the Inter-actions Research Group from the LUCA School of Arts and the University of Lueven, Faculty of Arts, Leuven, Belgium.

As a city, Leuven is well known for its breweries (namely Stella Artois) and the University of Leuven that was founded in 1425. Known as a 'student city' the Oude Markt, a long square lined with bars and cafes, is known colloqually as the worlds 'biggest bar'. Leuven's central squre boasts a town hall that was built between 1448 and 1469 as it known for its tall spires and ornate details and is decorated with hundreds of statues of local figures, biblical characters and saints. Those wanting to combine a conference with a tourist visit of culture and the arts will not be disappointed.

For those wishing to visit the LUCA School of Arts (located in Genk), this can be arranged in the days either before or after the conference.

Travelling to Leuven

Closer to date we will supply more information about getting to the conference locations. Leuven is located close to the Brussels National Airport (BRU) in Zaventem and is located on one of the main train arteries in Belgium and Europe.

Accommodation

Specifically for those on a budget or students participating in the Student Day, there are a number of hostels available: Leuven City Hostel and De Blauwput Hostel. Closer to date we will supply additional information regarding accomodation.

Tickets for the Dementia Lab Conference

Taking place on the 20, 21 and 22 September 2022, the conference spans across three days. The Student Day kicks off the three day conference on the morning of Tuesday the 20th, with the main conference beginning mid-day.

There are two ticket options:

• Student Ticket (55 Euro): Includes Student Day (including lunch) and the main Conference
• Main Conference (55 Euro): Includes the three conference days: Tuesday the 20th (afternoon), the 21st (all day) and 22nd (all day) of September and includes lunch.

* There are no single-day tickets available

There is still an opportunity to participate. There are different forms of contribution opportunities available. We allow the submission of full research papers, poster presentations, demos and posters, exhibition, workshops and personal stories. Visit the Call for Submissions page for more details.

Organisation