“The seeds of user relevant innovation can be found in the dreams and ideas of everyday people”
Uday Dandavate, SonicRim
Ageing, home, community, everyday life, and family are complex ideas, processes and concepts. At the heart of the work of TRIL is a commitment to understanding ageing ethnographically. Ethnography is a about understanding people in their social and cultural context. It involves spending time with them in their own homes and communities, immersing in these contexts and participating in their lives.
Ethnography produces rich and insightful accounts which emphasise the everyday experience and practice of people. This work has been invaluable in understanding ageing in the Irish context and sensitising our team to the lives and contexts of older Irish people. This work has ensured that our research is people-centred rather than technology-led.
Long term research has been conducted with older people across Ireland in rural and urban areas, from inner city Dublin to rural County Kerry. TRIL ethnographers also played a role in optimising the patient experience at the TRIL Clinic. These research teams have conducted focus groups to explore ideas and early stage concepts. They have also managed small-scale ‘friendly’ trials of promising technology concepts. They have played a central role in longer-term home pilots ensuring that the voice and perspectives of participants are heard.