Welcome
to senior-lab
An interdisciplinary platform for innovation and applied research dedicated to improving the quality of life for the elderly
senior-lab at a glance
Founded in 2018 by the Institut et Haute École de la Santé La Source (La Source), the Haute École d’ingénierie et de gestion du canton de Vaud (HEIG-VD) and the École cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL), the senior-lab is an innovation platform dedicated to improving the quality of life of older adults. These three institutions are part of HES-SO (Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale), the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland.
As a living lab, our interdisciplinary and participatory approach enables us to co-create solutions that address the needs of seniors. The senior-lab is also a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), an international network for user-centered innovation.
What we offer
A comprehensive approach to the challenges associated with ageing that brings together experts from the fields of health, social services, gerontology, design, economics, and engineering.
Community
Elderly people and professionals share their experiences, concerns, and ideas as experts. Everyone participates actively and plays an essential role. This leads to more grounded and meaningful outcomes.
Form in French
News
Our news section is currently available in French only.
About us
Co-creation, applied research, interdisciplinarity
We are a user-centred innovation ecosystem, where solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments, ensuring their relevance and consistency with the needs of the elderly. This co-creation approach promotes improves the uptake and generates a positive and lasting impact.
Our offers
Support for user-centred innovation
Our methodological toolkit supports the expression of elderly’s needs and the emergence of new ideas within a participatory framework that exploits collective intelligence.
Design thinking
A user-centred approach to innovation, organized around 5 stages: understanding needs (empathize), defining the problem (define), generating ideas (ideate), prototyping and testing feasible, viable and desirable solutions (prototype).
Applied research
An evidence-based scientific approach applied to solve problems or improve processes related to ageing.
Focus groups & workshops
Focus groups allows us to explore ideas, gather opinions or co-develop solutions. Focus groups are based on structured discussions with a target group. We design, facilitate and analyse these sessions to identify needs, evaluate products, validate concepts or generate new ideas.
Co-creation workshops
Collaborative sessions bringing together the members of our community, professionals and researcher to address specific issues and co-develop ideas, solutions, or projects.
Design thinking
A user-centred approach to innovation, organized around 5 stages: understanding needs (empathize), defining the problem (define), generating ideas (ideate), prototyping and testing feasible, viable and desirable solutions (prototype).
Co-creation workshops
Collaborative sessions bringing together the members of our community, professionals and researcher to address specific issues and co-develop ideas, solutions, or projects.
Focus groups & workshops
Focus groups allows us to explore ideas, gather opinions or co-develop solutions. Focus groups are based on structured discussions with a target group. We design, facilitate and analyse these sessions to identify needs, evaluate products, validate concepts or generate new ideas.
Applied research
An evidence-based scientific approach applied to solve problems or improve processes related to ageing.
Our community
Seniors at the heart of innovative projects
The senior-lab offers an enriching environment that encourages social interaction and the sharing of ideas, enabling members to stay active, engaged, and connected. Each member chooses their level of involvement, whether it be actively participating in projects that interest them or simply attending events organised by the senior-lab.
Communication within our community is done in French — you are welcome to join if you are comfortable with this language.
Form in French
Portraits of our retired members
A variety of profiles and life stories
Marion
“I have a curious and innovative mind and I love everything that deals with research, particularly in the field of design and construction.”
Veronica
“I enjoy sharing my experiences, especially with people who, like me, are immigrants and sometimes feel they don’t belong.”
Jean-Pierre
“At the senior-lab, I thrive by exploring topics that interest me, meeting new people and cultivating my curiosity through enriching exchanges.”
Portraits of our retired members
A variety of profiles and life stories
Veronica
“I enjoy sharing my experiences, especially with people who, like me, are immigrants and sometimes feel they don’t belong.”
Jean-Pierre
“At the senior-lab, I thrive by exploring topics that interest me, meeting new people and cultivating my curiosity through enriching exchanges.”
Our team
Expertise from professional and academic fields
Steering group
Prof. Delphine Roulet Schwab
Full professor at La Source
Laurent Soldini
Industrial and product designer, artistic assistant and Ra&D project manager at ECAL
Prof. Francesca Bosisio
Full Professor at the HEIG-VD
Operational group
Rafael Fink
Operations and Community Manager at senior-lab
Keren Bagnoud
Communications and Project Manager
Rafael Fink
Operations and Community Manager at senior-lab
Keren Bagnoud
Communications and Project Manager
Our projects
Interdisciplinarity, interinstitutionality & innovation
We explore a wide range of topics, in collaboration with numerous partners.
Our network
High-quality partners who care about issues related to ageing
Our partners, whether they are members of associations, institutions, private companies, or policy- or decision-makers, are free to define their level of involvement in the senior-lab. The projects and events we organise offer to our partners’ the opportunity to meet and greet, get to know each other, and create synergies in a professional and welcoming environment.
Postal address
senior-lab
c/o Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source
Av. Vinet 30
1004 Lausanne
Office address
Palais des Congrès de Beaulieu,
Avenue des Bergières 10,
1004 Lausanne
Contact
contact(at)senior-lab.ch
Phone
+ 41 21 556 40 11
Postal address
senior-lab
c/o Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source
Av. Vinet 30
1004 Lausanne
Office address
Palais des Congrès de Beaulieu,
Avenue des Bergières 10,
1004 Lausanne
Contact
contact(at)senior-lab.ch
Phone
+ 41 21 556 40 11
