This study examines the social impact of a community solar project implemented in the tribal area of Khuded, rural India, employing a mixed-methods approach over a five-year period (2019-2024). Data collection included pre- and post-build surveys of 80 households, participatory filmmaking and interviews, with a particular focus on women in the community. The findings show the time benefits and social value created for women due to the reduction of labour-intensive tasks facilitated by solar-powered machinery. However, deep-rooted gender roles, particularly women's responsibilities for domestic tasks such as collecting firewood and water, limit their participation in income-generating activities. Societal norms also undervalue 'resting' as an acceptable use of the time saved. The study uncovers complex power dynamics and a social hierarchy within the tight-knit community, where better-off individuals, also women, benefit disproportionately. This research contributes to the existing literature, through place-based case study research, by challenging assumptions about linear progress between electricity access and women's empowerment, demonstrating that the impact is not immediate and requires social adaptation over time. It also reveals how women are both expected and willing to take on additional responsibilities, their labour perceived as indefinite. The findings emphasise the importance of social value in energy projects, particularly in cash-poor communities, where conventional metrics like income generation or kilowatt hours fail to capture the full scope of the impact.

This article discusses the opportunities of working with an Advisory Group on intergenerational climate change research. We co-created creative workshops to explore and articulate climate change perceptions and future imaginaries between younger and older people in Wales, UK. This 12-month programme of research activities led to a bilingual (Welsh and English) and bespoke comic, and a follow-up project that co-created an intergenerational activity book. Using a research diary format, we show how to practically follow the Responsible Research and Innovation dimensions of inclusion, reflexivity, anticipation, and responsiveness during the data collection stage. The opportunities for co-creation discussed here relate to two main areas: imagining and communicating futures through intergenerational workshops; and the extent to which the Advisory Group were co-creators. The voices of four members of the Advisory Group and the work of comic book artist show the benefits of an early involvement of time, resource and trust in a group who are potential critics, advocates, and bridge-builders. We make four recommendations: the importance of time and imagination in intergenerational climate research; the value of Advisory Groups in improving participatory methods; the need for sustained community-university partnerships and that Advisory Groups should be involved from the very beginning of research.

Our work is a collection of artefacts: drawings, storyboards, films, music and poems created by a tribal community in rural India during interactive workshops which used various participatory arts-based methods to tell stories about the experiences related to a new solar powered community building. Energy use is deeply connected with human cultures, practices, norms and values. This article challenges assumptions about linear progress between energy access and women’s empowerment, demonstrating that the impact is not immediate but requires social adaptation over time. It gradually uncovers complex power dynamics and social hierarchy within the tight-knit community. This article is also a five-year journey (2019–2024) of four different researchers from diverse backgrounds and their attempts to capture and edit various acts of thinking surfaced through these methods. As global momentum towards sustainable energy gathers pace, our work reflects different ways of engaging, stimulating various ways of thinking and structuring dialogue about energy transition within the community. We focus on the potential of these methods to capture the embodied dimensions in the forms of artefacts as shown in the film. We position our work as a novel approach in energy studies that uses the lens of embodied research to understand the frictions of social realities in energy transitions, and surfaces hidden factors like socio-economic status, stakeholders’ involvement, and the critical role of gender in energy.

Retrofitting existing homes with new energy efficient technologies is essential to reduce emissions and move towards achieving a ‘net zero’ carbon emission target. This paper reports on research that investigated the process of retrofitting new technologies in existing social rented homes in Wales, United Kingdom. It used mixed-methods consisting of pre- and post-retrofit surveys, qualitative interviews with tenants, and a documentary analysis of retrofit tenant engagement materials. Interviews and focus groups were also undertaken with a variety of professionals involved in the delivery of the new technology, including tenant liaison officers, architects, surveyors, and a civil servant. Findings reveal that many of the barriers to deploying new technologies in social rented properties were around communication and information issues. The interface between the technology and residents was a challenge as mechanisms of the new technologies operation and sensors and monitoring were not understood well and residents were kept out of the loop often through digital exclusion. Disruption to norms, the home and everyday practices were also key barriers. Facilitators to successful deployment of new technologies included good tenant engagement, demonstrating and showcasing the technology prior to deployment and actively reducing disruption to norms and practices. Social Practices Theory and Energies Culture Framework describe the findings well, especially around changes in material culture (the actual technology and hardware) and disruption to norms and social practices, which explains how the use of the technology by the residents notably changes and can disrupt their lives. These disruptions create anxiety creating further barriers which can lead to resistance to engaging with the technology. Better communication and more resident involvement and engagement are needed, allowing people ownership and some perceived control over the decision-making, deployment and changes happening to their everyday lives. Findings suggest that communications and trust in the retrofit process are crucial to the success of delivering low-carbon technologies to tenants in social housing. The technology must also be usable and understood by the tenants; exemplar demonstrator properties to help tenants see and understand the technologies are helpful to successful deployment. In conclusion, more involvement of tenants is needed when delivering low-carbon technologies to their homes to resolve further exacerbating the already noticeable inequalities.

Renewable energy (RE) transitions are vital in achieving climate change targets and such transitions are gaining momentum globally. India is at the forefront of renewable energies having increased its renewable energy capacity by 250% between 2014-2021. As a solution to sustainable rural energy access, a solar community building (Solar Oasis) has been constructed in a village in Maharashtra, India by the Strategic University Network to Revolutionise Indian Solar Energy (SUNRISE) collaboration. However, currently we do not know if RE transitions are equitably beneficial particularly for those reliant on fossil fuels for daily activities, for example, there are concerns that decarbonizing energy systems may in fact increase the risk of disparities among social groups (including age, sex, economic status). To increase knowledge in this area, a Participatory Video with Most Significant Change (PVMSC) monitoring and evaluation approach was used to obtain local experiences and perspectives of the Solar Oasis building and its use in diverse community members’ own words and images. The participants discussed the significant changes to their lives and livelihoods following access to the building and planned, filmed, edited, and presented a film shown at a community screening event. Themes discussed and screened in the final film included: 1) benefits from changes to daily activities; 2) potential for economic changes; 3) opportunities for knowledge and skill development; 4) potential health and wellbeing improvements. Additional requirements and future actions were also identified and discussed regarding the village’s ongoing development. The PVMSC approach has been useful in this study where the unique insights offered by the participants are communicated easily back to other members of the community and widely to other stakeholders and the SUNRISE project team, in the words and voices that may not have been adequately captured by other methods.

PurposeThis paper aims to share how the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research co-designs research within a national programme of work to improve the lives of older adults and those affected by dementia. Through examples of this work, the authors identify the barriers and enablers to participatory approaches and lessons to inform future involvement activities.Design/methodology/approachThis study reflects on implementing the UK National Standards for Public Involvement into practice. Of international relevance, the observations span the research process from research prioritisation and design to research implementation and knowledge exchange.FindingsThis study demonstrates the importance of using a relational approach, working toward a common purpose and engaging in meaningful dialogue. Only through offering choice and flexibility and actively learning from one another can co-design lead to synergistic relationships that benefit everyone.Research limitations/implicationsKey implications for researchers engaged in patient and public involvement are be receptive to other people's views and acknowledge expertise of those with lived experience alongside those with academic expertise. Training, resources and time are required to effectively support involvement and meaningful relationships. A nominated contact person enables trust and mutual understanding to develop. This is an ongoing collective learning experience that should be embedded throughout the entire research process.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates how the standards are implemented with people who are often excluded from research to influence a national programme of work.

The places where people live, work and spend leisure time are essential to their health and wellbeing. However, with climate change, these environments are changing. It is paramount that we understand older and younger people’s climate change perspectives, behaviours and visions for the future so that the places that matter to them can be shaped and managed effectively for health, wellbeing and sustainability. This article presents the case for using comic books to explore climate change with diverse intergenerational groups. The bilingual (Welsh/English) Climate Comic was created in South Wales, UK, as part of the ‘Understanding Older and Younger People’s PerspecTives and Imaginaries of Climate Change’ (OPTIC) project. From February to May 2023, 65 older and younger people took part in structured workshops where we used creative methods (games, collaging, comic creation, mobile and online interviews, storyboarding) to elicit intergenerational conversation, articulate intangible values and explore change. Workshops were audio-recorded, and stories were developed into a comic by illustrator Laura Sorvala. We also used comics as part of wider engagement and to stimulate ideas in a design sprint with interested groups. We discuss why comics are suited to exploring climate change with older and younger people, and the process we used to create the Climate Comic . We then reflect on the affordances and limitations of our approach and make recommendations for future research in this area. We hope that this work will stimulate others to consider using this adaptable and engaging art form for further research and engagement with younger and older people.

Sustainable Human Development is a key policy objective of governments globally. The success and value of sustainable technology projects are often considered in economic or technical terms, with less focus on intended beneficiaries' experiences and desired outcomes, particularly for older people. A lack of understanding of the value placed on people's energy decisions and how energy is used can lead to resistance in uptake of technologies and tension between project aims and mutually appreciated outcomes. Participatory approaches help to redress this imbalance and focus on 'end-user' perspectives. The chapter draws on two renewable energy research projects which have participatory approaches embedded at different levels of their implementation in the UK and Indian contexts.

Abstract Since the onset of Covid 19, there has been a shift towards moving essential services online. This has the potential to further exclude sub-sections of the population from accessing essential services. This is particularly the case for older people who lack basic digital skills or who are not confident using digital technology, amplifying the risk of exclusion, and increasing the risk of social exclusion, loneliness and social isolation among digitally excluded older people. Research suggests that barriers to engagement with digital technologies include cost, lack of support, and technology being perceived as complicated or not for ‘people like me (French, Quinn & Yates, 2019). As such, there is an urgent need to develop digital solutions with older people, co-designing technology that meets their needs. The presentation will draw on data and experiences of older people involved in a seed corn project funded by the Research Wales Innovation Fund (April 2023- July 2023). The project aimed to co-design an affordable digital solution with digitally excluded older people to support the development of digital skills and confidence. The presentation will focus on the skills deficit identified by older adults with limited digital skills and explore how this knowledge is being incorporated into a co-designed prototype launcher app. The presentation will highlight the benefits and challenges of co-producing solutions for an ageing population.

In the face of population ageing, governments and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) are concerned about the ability of countries to provide social protection for ageing populations. In India, families are mandated to take care of their older members. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (MSJE 2007), states that parents, grandparents and ‘childless’ older people who are unable to maintain themselves are entitled to demand and receive income, care and support from children, grandchildren and other relatives who have sufficient resources. Cases (where support is not forthcoming) can be taken to tribunal and can result in the issue of maintenance orders with penalties for non-compliance including fines and imprisonment. Thus, there is a reliance on informal social protection. However, changes in family structures, family values, migration of family members and a rise in the number of women working outside of the home can put increasing strain on families to provide support. Traditional forms of solidarity and collectivism are eroded by market economies: increasing monetisation impacts on forms of reciprocity, and requirement for a responsive mobile labour force impacts on availability. Thus, it is important to challenge the ‘realities’ of family support systems, which may not be as robust as portrayed by policy makers. However, little is known about the choices that are available to older people around care, support and/or housing in later and the decisions that are made based on these choices. Relocating to care homes may be for personal care, but also due to the failure of legal systems to protect individuals from harm and to avoid abuse or family conflict. This chapter draws on data from 30 in-depth interviews with older male and female residents in nine care homes in three districts of Tamil Nadu and addresses the following questions: • What are the decision-making routes leading to entry into care homes? • In which ways do families, communities, and legal systems (fail to) support older people prior to entry into a care home? The chapter concludes by suggesting how stakeholders (NGOs, districts, the state and national government) can contribute to remodelling care provision, social work and legal systems to meet the needs of older adults in Tamil Nadu.

BACKGROUND:In 2016, Tamil Nadu was the first state in India to develop a set of Minimum Standards for old age homes. The Minimum Standards stipulate that that residents' dignity and privacy should be respected. However, the concept of dignity is undefined in the Minimum Standards. To date, there has been very little research within old age homes exploring the dignity of residents. This study draws on the concepts of (i) status dignity and (ii) central human functional capabilities, to explore whether old age homes uphold the dignity of residents.OBJECTIVES:The study was designed to obtain insights into human rights issues and experiences of residents, and the article addresses the research question, "to what extent do old age homes in Tamil Nadu support the central human functional capabilities of life, bodily health, bodily integrity and play, and secure dignity for older residents?".METHOD:A cross-sectional qualitative exploratory study design was utilised. Between January and May 2018 face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured topic guide with 30 older residents and 11 staff from ten care homes located three southern districts in Tamil Nadu, India. Framework analysis of data was structured around four central human functional capabilities.RESULTS:There was considerable variation in the extent to which the four central human functional capabilities life, bodily integrity, bodily health and play were met. There was evidence that Articles 3, 13, 25 and 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were contravened in both registered and unregistered facilities. Juxtaposing violations of human rights with good practice demonstrated that old age homes have the potential to protect the dignity of residents.CONCLUSION:The Government of India needs to strengthen old age home policies to protect residents. A new legislative framework is required to ensure that all old age homes are accountable to the State. Minimum Standards should include expectations for quality of care and dignity in care that meet the basic needs of residents and provide health care, personal support, and opportunities for leisure, and socializing. Standards should include staff-to-resident ratios and staff training requirements.

This paper presents an analysis of contemporary neuropsychiatric meaning-making regarding dementia, encompassing distinct beliefs, practices and objects, and the peculiarities of its fragmented public manifestations. First, some core neuropsychiatric beliefs are discussed, arguing that the designation of those beliefs as exceptional truths engenders an imperialist ethic whereby the beliefs must be spread into other populations. Second, the enactment of this spread through dementia awareness is considered, whereby people are presented as having wrong beliefs to justify the promotion of alternative correct knowledge. Third, some emerging contradictions within neuropsychiatric dementia are outlined, as moves toward early diagnosis and “living well” sit uneasily beside notions of dementia as a frightening epidemic. The paper concludes that this produces dissonant dementia wherein contradictory meanings are held together. Finally, it is suggested that this dissonance will likely continue, underpinned by specific interests.

This article applies a cultural political economy lens within a sustainable livelihood framework and examines how cultural norms and values as well as social protection amplify or attenuate livelihood shocks leading to care-home entry. We used framework analysis and higher-level interpretive analysis of data from interviews with 30 older care-home residents from three districts in Tamil Nadu, India, to understand the practices that allow the social welfare system to function alongside the beliefs and values legitimizing these practices. Results reveal a divergence between the value orientation of social-protection policy and cultural practices which constrains the choices available for care in later Life and reinforces culturally constructed inequalities rather than protecting or remediating livelihood shocks and Loss of assets.

A survey was conducted among European Cancer Organisations by the European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) to evaluate initiatives on cancer guideline development. An electronic questionnaire based on the 'Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation' (AGREE) instrument was sent to different ECCO members and other Scientific European Organisations involved in cancer care. Between April 2010 and July 2010, 30 European Cancer Organisations (ECOs) were contacted and 21 responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 13 were involved in the production of clinical practice guidelines. The majority of the cancer guidelines were treatment or disease-management related (84.6%). The objectives were appropriate clinical care (76.9%), cost containment (7.7%) or both (23.1%). Almost all organisations developed guidelines for their members but more than half were also aimed at policy makers (53.9%). In 69% of cases, the guidelines were developed according to specific instructions by searches in an electronic data base while in 46.2% there was a manual evaluation of the original articles. Disciplines almost always involved in guideline development groups were the medical and nursing specialities, while in some groups, communication specialists were always involved. Patients, as key stakeholders of the guidelines were involved by eight organisations in their development. The median costs for the development of a cancer guideline were between 25000 and 50,000 euro. This survey shows that many European cancer organisations are producing cancer guidelines. Since their development is both costly and time consuming, a coordinated approach should be encouraged.

Increasingly patients, relatives and carers are accessing health information via the internet. However, the health profession and people affected by cancer are becoming concerned with the quality of that information. A European survey was conducted under the auspices of the FP7 European Commission funded Eurocancercoms project during the period September 2010-March 2011. Its aim was to assess current online information needs of people with cancer particularly those who seek information using online social media technologies and the internet more broadly. A literature review was undertaken to gain a greater understanding of health seeking behaviour regarding cancer patients' information needs and patient preferences for accessing different formats and media. This was used to inform the design and validation of online pan-European, multi-lingual questionnaires distributed via patient organizations and via specific Eurocancercoms partner organizations. This paper presents the results of this survey and suggests recommendations to be incorporated into the design of the online platform, ecancerHub, one of the intended outcomes of the Eurocancercoms project following this research. People want a wide variety of easy to find, easy to understand accurate information about cancer and how it is likely to impact on their everyday lives and on those close to them. They differ in the amount and detail of the information they would like and on their ability to identify quality information and understand it sufficiently to base their health-care decisions on. The majority of respondents raised the issue of quality of information and many requested recommendations of websites by the people who usually influence them most, the health professionals involved in their care.