The Lifespan Project: Research on Ageing by our Psychology Department

Ageing research is the focus of the ‘Lifespan Project’ of the Psychology Department of the University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College that completed its first year of operation. Led by a group of researchers namely Prof. Ana B. Vivas, Head of the Psychology Department and Mr. George Pavlidis, Lecturer at the Department with the collaboration of Dr. Frantzidis from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the project has the ambition to investigate alterations in brain connectivity and cognitive vitality due to aging, and their relation with health, social and functional aspects of everyday life.

The LifeSpan Project team uses an array of measurements, such as brain imaging techniques (encephalograph –EEG-), neuropsychological assessment, psychometrics and questionnaires. During this first year, project researchers collecting data from 40 cognitively healthy participants from 18 years to 72 years old. The project’s future aim is to acquire longitudinal data, following the same participants over a longer period of time.

The research aims of the LifeSpan Project are aligned with the strategic goals of the European research framework Horizon 2020, contributing in the most contemporary stream of knowledge for cognitive health and the factors that promote positive outcomes with ageing. In addition, it offers to the participants a detailed europsychological assessment and evaluation.

A part of the project team consists of students who were selected to do an internship as research assistants, enhancing this way their professional experience and academic portfolio with training in using neuropsychological assessment, as well as in conducting EEG screening sessions. For the academic year 2016-17, the LifeSpan Project team comprised Ms Papaioannou Georgia, student in the MA Clinical Neuropsychology, Mr Riku Ihalainen, student at the MSc Cognitive Neuropsychology, Ms Eleni Giagkousiklidou, Ms Dimitra Lachtara, and Mr Christos Peppas, students of the BSc (Hons) in Psychology programme, as well as Ms Lina Tzani, alumna of the BSc (Hons) in Psychology programme.

For more information about the project and for internship opportunities, please contact Mr. Pavlidis at gpavlidis@citycollege.sheffield.eu