Health sciences experts from around the world will gather at McMaster University this summer at the U21 Health Sciences Group (HSG) 2025 Annual Meeting to explore the theme, “Aging Across the Lifespan.”  

The U21 HSG is a unique global university network comprising 20 member institutions worldwide across 13 countries and six continents. It was established to provide members a framework for exploring opportunities for collaborative research, information exchange, and sharing of resources across the Health Sciences.  

The McMaster campus will host delegates from August 25 to 28, making the institution the meeting’s first North American host site in more than 15 years. 

“We are delighted to welcome our U21 HSG colleagues to McMaster University this summer,” says Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

“Population aging is one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century and as a leader in aging research and education, McMaster is uniquely positioned to facilitate meaningful discussions on this critical global issue,” says O’Byrne. “We look forward to sharing insights and fostering collaborations that will shape the future of aging research and education.” 

Delegates from all U21 HSG member institutions are encouraged to attend the four-day meeting, and learners from McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences are especially welcome to attend the locally-based global event.

Doctoral students from a range of disciplines across the U21 HSG member institutions are invited to present their work at McMaster during the Doctoral Student Forum, which provides international networking opportunities and a chance for doctoral students to share their research across a network of research-intensive universities.

That same day at the Student Forum, learners can attend a masterclass on design thinking lead by McMaster faculty and participate in an interprofessional group activity that aims to solve an aging-related program using design thinking concepts.   

“We strongly encourage our students to take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage with global experts and peers at the U21 HSG Annual Meeting. This event is not only a platform to gain valuable insights into aging research and education but also a chance to showcase your work, receive constructive feedback, and build lasting professional networks. Your participation is vital in shaping the future of healthcare for aging populations,” says O’Byrne. 

The conference will feature several plenary sessions that delve into key topics related to aging: 

• Mobility and Healthy Aging: This session will explore global aging patterns and emphasize mobility as a key indicator of a healthy lifespan. Experts will introduce “Design Thinking” as a tool to foster innovative research questions in aging science. 

• ACE-ing the Aging Journey: This interactive World Café experience will examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape health and well-being throughout the life course, with a focus on their impact on aging outcomes. 

• Education That Ages Well: In a talk-show format, experts will discuss and debate the relevance of various education ideas in the context of aging. 

• Innovative Pedagogies in Dementia Education: Featuring 3-4 short presentations, experts will share strategies for integrating dementia topics into curricula for nursing, medical education, and rehab sciences. 

• The Perils of Being Born in the Fall: This edu-tainment session will provide a fun and informative look at the quirks of being born in the fall and their impact on mental health. 

Last summer, Matthew Sibbald, associate dean of McMaster’s Undergraduate Medical Education, received the U21 Health Sciences Group 2024 Teaching Excellence Award. As part of his award, Sibbald will collaborate with Rebeca Leyva, the other 2024 awardee from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, to facilitate a workshop on the role of AI in higher education at the 2025 Annual Meeting.  

Learn more about the Annual Meeting and register here.