Remote Masterclass on “Social Cognition and Technology in dementia”: Workshop summary report
As part of an international project called DISTINCT, we are 2 (out of 15) Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) that are aiming to improve technology and care for people with dementia and their carers (for more information visit https://www.dementiadistinct.com).
Our first winter school was supposed to be held from 8th to 13th March 2020, in Prague. The main aims of this school were training, academic seminars and social activities. Other important aim of the school was providing us an opportunity of networking with other researchers and building up connection with professionals in the field. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the in- person school was unfortunately cancelled.
Excellent news for us as an ESR was that DISTINCT Consortium, INTERDEM Academy and DeepSPA study group have entered into agreement to collaborate and organize us a Masterclass with variety of interesting and multidisciplinary subjects with focuse on improving the lives of people with dementia and their family by using advanced technology.
On 28th and 29th of April 2020 the two days online workshop was called to order. The first day was obligatory with more general subjects such as: outcome measures and social health in dementia research, experience sampling methodology, digital phenotyping, and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. The second day was optional as it was covering more technical and practical aspects of speech processing.
participants received a certificate as proof of their participation in the masterclass.
We are particularly grateful to the workshop organizers for their amazing work and to the speakers for sharing their knowledge with us.
Pascale Heins, ESR11 DISTINCT, PhD student, Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Maastricht University
Golnaz Atefi, ESR 5 DISTINCT, PhD student, Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Maastricht University