Empowering Senior Voices
Inclusive civic innovation and healthy ageing through the Our Voice methodology
A repeatable research methodology that enables older adults to become citizen-scientists and work alongside councils, researchers and communities to shape healthier, more inclusive neighbourhoods.
Building on a proven methodology
The Empowering Senior Voices methodology was originally inspired by the internationally recognised Our Voice citizen science framework developed by Stanford University. While retaining the core principles of participatory research, community-led data collection and civic dialogue, Shaping Connections has adapted the approach to suit Australian communities and place-based innovation.
Rather than treating research as a linear process with a fixed endpoint, Empowering Senior Voices incorporates principles of emergent design, recognising that meaningful change develops through ongoing learning, reflection, collaboration and adaptation. This includes a Future Focus stage that supports ongoing partnerships, knowledge translation and future-oriented co-design, helping projects continue to evolve beyond their initial implementation.
From consultation to collaboration
Technology that supports citizen science
Empowering Senior Voices combines participatory research with simple digital technology to make community observations easy to capture, share and analyse. Rather than relying on lengthy surveys or paper forms, citizen-scientists use the Discovery Tool developed through Stanford University's Our Voice initiative, to document their lived experiences as they happen and geo-tag locations.
Capture
Take photographs of places that support or challenge healthy ageing.
Locate
Every observation is automatically geo-tagged, connecting stories to specific places.
Reflect
Participants can record voice notes, written comments and rate positive or challenging experiences.
Share
Observations become part of an interactive map supporting analysis and community advocacy.
Why it works
Communities become researchers
Older adults document their lived experiences.
Stories become evidence
Photos and voice recordings become planning data.
Participation creates change
Communities help design solutions.
Designed for real-world impact
GOVERNMENT
RESEARCHERS
INDUSTRY
COMMUNITY
Global methodology
Acknowledgement
Shaping Connections acknowledges key partners, supporting organisations and citizen-scientists in the Empowering Senior Voices City North Precinct project who have set the foundation for an ongoing methodology and partnership opportunity for many more communities to come.