TILDA at European Researchers’ Night 2025
Posted on 30 September 2025
On Friday, 26th September, TILDA once again took part in European Researchers’ Night, a vibrant public engagement festival that brings science to the heart of the community. Running from 2–8pm in Front Sqaure, Trinity College Dublin, the event gave thousands of visitors the chance to meet researchers and try their hand at interactive science activities.
Pictured left to right: Dr Siobhan Scarlett and students Brenda Ozeias Santos and Katie Duffy at the TILDA stand.
This year, the TILDA team offered a mix of hands-on tests and games designed to spark curiosity and highlight the importance of healthy ageing research:
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Grip Strength Test – updated with new normative values, allowing younger adults (20 years and older) to compare their results to TILDA participants aged 50 years +.
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Single Leg Balance Test – a fun but challenging measure of balance and stability, capped at 60 seconds (although Brendan Ó'Maoiléidigh took it to the extreme, going to 15 minutes!)
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The Lifestyle & Ageing Game – a new interactive card game developed by TILDA PhD researcher Brenda Ozeias Santos, where players discovered how lifestyle choices influence biological ageing.
The stand attracted a steady stream of visitors across the day, including Provost Prof Linda Doyle.
A huge thank you goes to the volunteers who gave their time and energy to make the exhibit such a success: Ann Monaghan, Mary O'Shea, Siobhán Scarlett, Brenda Ozeias Santos, Grace Lehane, Katie Duffy, Niall Costello, Lucy Doogan, Brendan Ó'Maoiléidigh and Deirdre O’Connor - for leading the organisation and logistics of the TILDA stand – from materials, schedules, and set-up to ensuring everything ran smoothly on the night.
European Researchers’ Night is an annual reminder of the value of engaging the public with ageing research, and TILDA is proud to contribute in a way that is both informative and fun.