Call for Participant Applications - Climate, Aging, and Health in Rural America: An Interdisciplinary Mini-Conference & Workshop

Climate change is influencing human health and is particularly challenging for older adults. In terms of these climate-health connections, rural America is characterized by distinct vulnerabilities, including a relatively older population and far more challenging access to health care and other necessary services. At the same time, extreme environmental events – hurricanes, floods, tornadoes – are rapidly increasing in frequency and severity with projections of further intensification. Amid climate-related health impacts, many rural communities continue to age.

The complex connections between Aging-Climate-Health in rural America requires new and innovative research attention. This workshop brings together researchers in these topical areas with the objectives of reviewing current research, identifying knowledge gaps, and building collaborations. Importantly, there are few scholars already investigating this three-way intersection – we seek participation from aging, health, and/or rural researchers with interest in expanding their portfolio to climate-related questions.

During this 2-day conference, Day 1 will open with keynote speakers reviewing innovations, challenges, and needs in rural America with an emphasis on patterns of aging, climate-related stressors, and health. Following, research panels, flash talks, and a poster reception will provide important empirical examples. Time will also be offered for brainstorming within topically focused working groups aimed to build collaborations, discuss broad research agenda, explore dissemination, and/or work toward high-impact scientific publications and proposals. There will also be a ½ day remote, follow-up meeting several weeks after the conference to reconnect, discuss progress, and share opportunities.

Brief applications are required to ensure adequate space and to identify key thematic areas for working groups.

Some funds are available to support travel expenses. In your application, please include your CV and 1-page on your interest in the mini-conference including its relation to your research agenda or interests. If interested in presenting your research, please also include an extended abstract (no more than 1 page). Also please note if funding is required. Participants and presenters will be selected based on research alignment with conference objectives and quality of abstract. Attention will also be paid to achieving diversity of representation by discipline, geography, career stage, and socio-demographics.

Submit materials by 31 January 2024.

For any questions, contact Lori.Hunter@colorado.edu

Send all application to: Fadya.Bekta@colorado.edu