iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 01/10/2026

Today is #NationalSeniorsDay. Lily Haopu Ren, Yong Zhao, Vansh Patodia, and Jeffrey Wong from the UBC IDEA Lab presented today at AGE-WELL AgeTech Discovery Day. It was great sharing our work and presenting how technology can support aging, social connection, and person-centred care.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 18/08/2026

Last Thursday, our community came together for UBC IDEA Lab Research Day 2026! Trainees, researchers, and patient & family partners shared their work across dementia care & technology. Grateful for @nurselillian.bsky.social's leadership and to everyone who made the day so special 💛

Wide view of UBC IDEA Lab Research Day 2026 in a large lecture hall. Trainees, researchers, clinicians, and patient and family partners sit facing the front while a patient story comic the WhatMatters project is displayed on presenter screens.

Family partner Catherine Youngren and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Isis Kelly dos Santos stand at the front of the room holding microphones during their presentation at UBC IDEA Lab Research Day 2026.

Patient partner Dr. Jim Mann, wearing a bright yellow shirt, smiles and gestures while interacting with Pepper, a white semi-humanoid robot with a touchscreen tablet mounted on its chest. UBC IDEA Lab trainees Vansh Patodia and Muhammad Al Muhtadin stand nearby observing the demonstration.

Lily Haopu Ren, Mavis Cheung, and Dr. Lillian Hung smile in front of UBC IDEA Lab banners in a photo booth setup while holding colourful Research Day signs reading "I am a Research Champion," "Research is Care," "I love IDEA Lab," and "Exhibit Excellence."

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 23/07/2026

Heading to #HCII2026 in Montréal? Join @nurselillian.bsky.social at AI-HCI for a presentation of our scoping review on AI-enabled robots for social support in later life. 📅 July 30 | 4pm – 6pm EDT 📍 Session S280 | Room 524A See you there!

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 29/06/2026

Today, we gathered with UBC IDEA Lab students, staff, researchers, patient and family partners, and collaborators for a lovely summer celebration at @nurselillian.bsky.social’s home! Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating community, care, and collaboration ☀️

Members of the UBC IDEA Lab community smiling together in a sunny backyard garden during a summer gathering, with food on the table and greenery in the background.

People chatting and serving food around a patio table at a relaxed summer gathering, with a red umbrella, garden house, and Canadian flag bunting in the background.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 17/06/2026

Meet Zee, one of our #SmartLittleDolls — designed by researchers in Hong Kong to support engagement, communication, and well-being among older adults in long-term care, including people living with dementia. Learn more about the project: idea.nursing.ubc.ca/2026/05/21/s...

Two UBC IDEA Lab team members, Veronica and Amber, smile while sitting at a Hong Kong-style café table with Zee, a SmartLittle Doll, placed between them. The table includes pineapple buns, egg tarts, and a glass of Hong Kong-style milk tea.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 02/06/2026

Proud to see @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social @agingsmart.bsky.social PhD candidate Joey Wong and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Yi-Ting Chiu presenting their research at the CASN/ACESI 2026 Biennial Canadian Nursing Education Conference in Mississauga 🇨🇦

PhD candidate Joey Wong standing and smiling in front of a CASN/ACESI conference backdrop.

Postdoctoral fellow Dr. Yi-Ting Chiu presenting at the CASN/ACESI 2026 Biennial Canadian Nursing Education Conference. The presentation slide reads “Digital Companions in Dementia Care: A Scoping Review to Inform Nursing Education for the Future.”

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 31/05/2026

Congratulations to PhD candidate Lily Haopu Ren and PhD student Yong Zhao on receiving the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D) from the CIHR. We are excited to celebrate their work advancing aging and dementia care.

PhD candidate Lily Haopu Ren and PhD student Yong Zhao stand side by side with arms crossed. Lily, an Asian woman, wears glasses, a beige blazer, and a cream turtleneck; Yong, an Asian man, wears a light blue dress shirt and red tie.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 20/05/2026

Thank you to Vanessa Lo, Co-Founder and CEO of VanTech Med, for presenting at our UBC IDEA Lab Lunch and Learn today and introducing us to Sunny-1, an intelligent companion robot designed for older adults.

Vanessa Lo, Co-Founder and CEO of VanTech Med, speaks to students beside a UBC IDEA Lab laptop as Dr. Lillian Hung smiles while holding the Sunny-1 humanoid companion robot toward the online audience.

Older adult partners smile and interact with the Sunny-1 humanoid companion robot during a UBC IDEA Lab Lunch and Learn, while other attendees look on.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 14/05/2026

Research Assistants Veronica Moros, Mary Van, and PhD student Yong (Peter) Zhao presented findings from “Perceptions of Aging Well: A Cross-Cultural Study of Older Adults in Canada” at the @ubcaging.bsky.social Research Day 2026.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 14/05/2026

We’re at the UBC Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging Research Day 2026 today! First up is Dr. Yi-ting Chiu, @idea.nursing.ubc.ca Postdoctoral Fellow, who shared her PhD work on the #VillageModel for aging-in-place.

UBC IDEA Lab Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Yi-ting (Joyce) Chiu presented findings on “Technology-Enabled Community Resilience for Aging in Place: Evidence from Older-Adult–Led Village Organizations” at the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging Research Day 2026.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 23/04/2026

Our postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Jiangning Fu, presented long-term care findings from our immersive projection technology in dementia care project at #INCREASEBC2026 this morning, and was awarded the people’s choice poster award. Congratulations, Dr. Fu.

Postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jiangning Fu (centre), along with older adult partners Lily Wong (left) and Zarina Chan (right) standing in front of their poster, “Implementing immersive projection technology in dementia care: Staff perspectives from long-term care and hospital settings,” at the INCREASE BC 2026 Conference in Vancouver.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 31/03/2026

We recently hosted two visiting high school students through UBC STEM Fellowship’s Research Exploration Opportunity. They spent the week exploring our lab through hands-on work with our industry and patient partners, as well as clinical site visits for our Indigenous VR & Digital Companion projects!

Visiting students, researchers, and partners pose together in the UBC IDEA Lab around the Aether robot, which is decorated with a purple skirt and colorful flowers. The visiting students on the left are holding ice cream.

UBC IDEA Lab team posing for a picture at a long-term care site visit, holding VR headsets and controllers, with tables, devices, and project materials visible in the foreground.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 13/02/2026

At yesterday’s CIHR Implementation Science Teams Networking Forum, @nurselillian.bsky.social shared how our Learning Health System partnership with @vchhealthcare.bsky.social is improving dementia transitions through a Learning Community. Learn more here: idea.nursing.ubc.ca/2025/02/21/b...

A screenshot from a CIHR virtual networking event with a slide titled “Revolutionizing Dementia Care Transition through the Learning Health System (LHS) model at Vancouver Coastal Health.” It lists research goals, implementation progress (patient journey mapping, system mapping, EDI advisory, learning community education), knowledge mobilization strategies, the population of interest, and challenges/opportunities. A small video tile shows Dr. Lillian Hung speaking.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 26/12/2025

Happy Holidays from the UBC IDEA Lab 🎄✨ Read our 2025 year-end message from @nurselillian.bsky.social here: idea.nursing.ubc.ca/2025/12/24/m...

Graphic with a navy background. At left, a group photo of the UBC IDEA Lab team standing and sitting around a decorated Christmas tree, framed by a colourful holiday border. At right, large text reads “Happy Holidays from the UBC IDEA Lab,” beside a cartoon character wearing a Santa hat and scarf. A gold banner along the bottom reads: “Read our 2025 year-end message from Dr. Lillian Hung.”

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 10/12/2025

New space, same mission. We can’t wait to welcome you into our new home on the fourth floor of the UBC Gateway Building as we continue advancing dementia and aging care through #PatientOrientedResearch.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 03/12/2025

Last week, our Intergenerational & Interdisciplinary Research (IIR) team ran a long-term care clinical huddle at Opal Vancouver. Patient partner Dr. Jim Mann spoke about unconscious bias toward people living with dementia and how small assumptions shape everyday care 💜

A group of long-term care staff, researchers, and patient partners sit in a bright lounge at Opal Vancouver, listening to Dr. Jim Mann, an older adult patient partner, standing and speaking at the front of the room during a long-term care clinical huddle.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 21/11/2025

Sena Kholmatov recently presented our Co-Create VR project at the SFU GRC (@SFUGero.bsky.social) Research Day on Aging. We explored how VR can create meaningful moments for older adults through co-design with residents, staff, and families. Feeling grateful to share this work.

Sena Kholmatov speaks at a wood-paneled lectern with a laptop and mic during SFU’s Research Day on Aging.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 17/11/2025

Our #PARO project co-lead, Yuka Ohno, presented a poster on her work and met PARO’s inventor, Dr. Takanori Shibata, in the exhibit hall at #GSA2025. We’re excited to keep exploring how socially assistive robots like PARO can support people living with dementia and their care partners.

Dr. Lillian Hung and Yuka Ohno stand smiling on either side of their research poster titled “Long-term care residents and staff perspectives on PARO using video reflexive ethnography” at GSA 2025.

Yuka Ohno and Dr. Takanori Shibata stand in front of the PARO booth in the exhibit hall at GSA 2025, each holding a fluffy white PARO seal robot and smiling at the camera.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 17/10/2025

Happening right now: @nurselillian.bsky.social joins Dr. Bernie Garrett, Prof. Ash Scott, and Dr. Charlene Chu at the @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social Marion Woodward Symposium 2025, sharing opportunities, ethical issues, and strategies on AI implementation in nursing practice & education #nursesky

Five panelists seated on stage in front of a large purple screen displaying ‘The Future of Nursing in the Age of AI – Marion Woodward Lecture & Symposium 2025, The University of British Columbia, School of Nursing.’ From left to right: Dr. Emily Jenkins (chair), Dr. Bernie Garrett, Dr. Lillian Hung speaking into a microphone, Prof. Ash Scott, and Dr. Charlene Chu, who later delivered the keynote lecture.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 16/10/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Karen L. Y. Wong on successfully defending her PhD at UBC Social Work. A long-time member of the IDEA Lab, Dr. Wong led many projects advancing senior care—from dementia-friendly TV study to reducing antipsychotic use in long-term care. We’re so proud.

Dr. Karen L.Y. Wong stands smiling outside the UBC Thea Koerner House Graduate Student Centre holding a bouquet of flowers, with PhD students Lily Ren (left) and Joey Wong (right) beside her.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 09/10/2025

Full house at our C2 South Asian & Chinese community Healthy Aging workshops this week. Led by Margaret Lin, PhD student @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social, older adults, families, health and community partners shared stories and set priorities for inclusive, integrated care across @fraserhealth.ca (1/2).

South Asian community Healthy Aging workshop participants sit at round tables while a facilitator presents a slide titled “Knowledge Exchange — Summary,” with flip-charts and workshop materials in the background.

Margaret Lin (left) and Joey Wong (right) smiling with microphones while facilitating the Chinese community Healthy Aging workshop.

At a round table, a facilitator leans over a large worksheet as older adults and partners discuss; with sticky notes, pens, and water bottles scattered across.

Packed room with multiple round tables of Chinese community members in small-group discussions; a screen displays “Small Group Discussion” in English and Chinese.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 04/10/2025

Proud moment today! Our research assistant @jeffrey.cspsc.ca and patient partner Lynn Jackson presented our poster “Co-Designing Immersive Virtual Reality With Indigenous Communities” at the TWU CREATE Conference 2025.

Jeffrey Wong and Lynn Jackson stand beside their poster “Co-Designing Immersive Virtual Reality With Indigenous Communities” at the TWU CREATE Conference 2025.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 27/09/2025

Our new study in #JDAD @mdpiopenaccess.bsky.social shows that virtual team-based care can strengthen communication & family involvement in hospital-to-LTC transitions for people with dementia—but success requires inclusive policies, clear protocols & leadership support: www.mdpi.com/3042-4518/2/...

Screenshot of the article title: “Virtual Team-Based Care Planning for Older Adults with Dementia: Enablers, Barriers, and Lessons from Hospital-to-Long-Term Care Transitions.” Authors listed include Lillian Hung, Paulina Santella, Denise Connelly, Mariko Sakamoto, Jim Mann, Ian Chan, Karen Lok Yi Wong, Mona Upreti, Harleen Hundal, Marie Lee Yous, and others.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 22/09/2025

@nurselillian.bsky.social and PhD students Joey Wong (Nursing; @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social) and Lily Haopu Ren (Interdisciplinary Studies) are on their way to Sweden 🇸🇪 to share UBC IDEA Lab’s work at #SocGeronTech Network’s 7th Annual Meeting. Stay tuned for updates 👀

Joey Wong, Lily Haopu Ren, and Dr. Lillian Hung (from left to right) smiling together in an airport jet bridge with an airplane visible outside the windows, traveling to Sweden for the Socio-Gerontechnology Network’s 7th Annual Meeting.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 12/09/2025

FYI, this is what a transistor radio looks like 🤓

Image of a person holding a transistor radio.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 11/08/2025

Nature via VR or projector can be transformative for hospital patients & LTC residents 🌳🏥 @nurselillian.bsky.social and PhD students Joey and Lily shared this work at @forestry.ubc.ca’s 2nd International Conference on Forest Therapy #ICFT2025

PhD students Joey Wong and Lily Haopu Ren present behind a lectern with a large slide of their VR dementia care poster projected behind them at the 2nd International Conference on Forest Therapy.

Dr. Lillian Hung speaks during a research panel at the 2nd International Conference on Forest Therapy, seated alongside other panelists in a classroom setting.

Joey Wong speaks with an attendee in front of her poster titled “Co-Creating Virtual Reality with Older Adults with Dementia.”

Lab manager Lily Haopu Ren, patient partner Lily Wong, and PhD student Joey Wong smile together holding a large Instagram-style photo frame at the 2nd International Conference on Forest Therapy.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 30/07/2025

Our July 2025 newsletter is out now! If you haven’t already, subscribe to stay in the loop with UBC IDEA Lab team spotlights, project updates, upcoming events, and more: eepurl.com/ilKMy6

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 28/07/2025

This past Saturday, @nurselillian.bsky.social shared our co-created VR project for Indigenous older adults at the Technology & Dementia Preconference of @alzassociation.bsky.social #AAIC2025. Honoured to see our inclusive innovation in dementia care represented on the global stage.

Dr. Lillian Hung speaking on stage at a podium labeled “AAIC 25,” with a large presentation slide behind her titled “Co-Create VR with Indigenous.” The slide includes a photo of a totem pole and a bulleted list outlining the goals of co-creating VR content with Indigenous older adults.

Dr. Lillian Hung and Dr. Jennifer Campos smiling and posing together in front of a tall purple sign that reads “AAIC 25, ISTAART, Technology and Dementia” at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025 preconference venue.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 14/07/2025

Have you heard about our EMPOWER Framework? This collaborative reflection with patient partners centers lived experience and advances equity through research, policy, and care. Take a look here: www.frontiersin.org/journals/dem... #DementiaVoices #EMPOWERFramework #HealthEquity #CoResearch

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 20/06/2025

They’re presenting now! @nurselillian.bsky.social and Mario are live at the West Coast Conference on Aging, sharing considerations for using social robots and digital innovations for connection.

Mario Gregorio, a smiling older man wearing a cap and striped shirt, stands at a podium holding a microphone. Beside him is Dr. Lillian Hung, also smiling, in a pink blazer and glasses. They are co-presenting at the 2025 West Coast Conference on Aging.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 19/06/2025

We’re at the West Coast Conference on Aging @providencehealthbc.bsky.social today sharing work on dementia care transitions, community ukulele classes for people living with dementia, and building an age-friendly institution grounded in lived experience.

Dr. Lillian Hung and Dr. Jim Mann, a patient partner living with dementia, standing in front of their poster on improving dementia care transitions.

Joey Wong and Mario Gregorio, patient partner and dementia advocate, in front of posters on co-designed ukulele classes and age-friendly UBC initiatives.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 13/06/2025

Alt text matters—just like centring lived experience in #DementiaResearch. Proud to say 100% of our image posts include alt text.

Screenshot of the Bluesky Alt Text Rating tool showing results for the account @idea.nursing.ubc.ca. The tool analyzed 22 of our posts, 8 of which contain images, and all 8 have alt text. The final score is 100.00% with a smiling face emoji. A gauge graphic at the bottom shows the score in the green zone, indicating excellent performance.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 12/06/2025

Proud to see our team at the CIHR-IA #SPA2025 in Toronto this week, where @nurselillian.bsky.social joined Bubli Chakraborty and Lynn Jackson to share how co-research with people living with dementia can advance equity in aging.

Dr. Lillian Hung, Canada Research Chair in Senior Care, speaks at a podium during the CIHR Institute of Aging Summer Program in Aging 2025 in Toronto. A large screen behind her displays a slide featuring two smiling family partners and co-researchers, Bubli Chakraborty and Lynn Jackson.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 02/06/2025

Joey Wong, our PhD student at UBC Nursing, presented two projects at #CGNA2025 in Winnipeg—one on co-creating VR with people living with dementia in long-term care, and another on what helps staff stay in the sector 🥳👏🏼

Joey Wong stands smiling beside a large academic poster titled “Staff retention among long-term care staff: A qualitative study” at the CGNA 2025 conference. The poster summarizes key themes like relational joy in caregiving, respectful workplace culture, and opportunities for professional growth.

Joey Wong stands at a podium presenting a slide titled “Co-Creating a Virtual Reality Program With People Living With Dementia in Long-Term Care.” The slide shows logos from UBC, SFU, the University of Waterloo, CGNA, and the MGNA, and includes a photo of an older adult wearing a VR headset.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 10/05/2025

Our first IDEA Lab #SushiMonday of the summer at UBC—we enjoyed DIY sushi, connected with new and returning lab members, and discussed exciting lab projects for the summer!

Group photo of the UBC IDEA Lab team smiling in a classroom. Some are seated at a table with snacks and sushi-making ingredients, while others stand behind them. Several members are wearing white IDEA Lab hoodies, and the atmosphere is friendly and festive.

UBC IDEA Lab students and trainees are gathered around a classroom table preparing DIY sushi. One person is placing ingredients on a sheet of seaweed, while another holds a plate with sushi in progress.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 01/05/2025

Had a wonderful day presenting at #INCREASEBC 2025, held at @bcchresearch.bsky.social! Our students, trainees, and patient & family partners shared posters and oral presentations on our #PatientOrientedReseaech on VR, AI, dementia care, and more.

Undergraduate research assistant Julia Banco smiling and standing in front of her poster presentation titled “Student Reflections and Lessons Learned in Deploying an AI-Enabled Service Robot Within Long-Term Care.”

PhD student Lily Haopu Ren and family partner Lily Wong present at a podium during their oral presentation, “Co-Creating a Virtual Reality in Hospital With Patient and Family Partners and Staff for Older Adults With Dementia,” at INCREASE BC 2025.

Four members of the UBC IDEA Lab—Lily Haopu Ren, Rachel Xia, Julia Bianco, and Albin Soni—stand smiling in front of a research poster titled “Student Reflections and Lessons Learned in Deploying an AI-Enabled Service Robot Within Long-Term Care.”

Group photo of 11 UBC IDEA Lab members and partners standing and kneeling in front of a wall with the words “The Mighty” at BC Children’s Hospital. Everyone is smiling and wearing conference name tags.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 23/04/2025

Earlier this month, @nurselillian.bsky.social shared our work on using the Aether robot in #LongTermCare at the 2025 @enas-agestudies.bsky.social & @nanetworkinaging.bsky.social Conference hosted by @udl.cat in Spain 🇪🇸 Grateful to connect across disciplines and center patient and family voices.

Two photos from the ENAS & NANAS 2025 Conference in Lleida, Spain. Left: Dr. Lillian Hung and Dr. Julia Henderson, smiling in front of a historic stone building. Right: Dr. Hung and IDEA Lab alum Hiro Ito posing together inside the conference venue, a large stone hall filled with attendees and round tables.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 01/04/2025

New article 🚨 We break down four key #EthicalConsiderations in using social robots—access, consent, substitution of human care, and infantilization—sharing lessons learned through our studies in Canadian #LTC homes. Read in @frontiersin.bsky.social Robotics & AI: doi.org/10.3389/frob...

A bright yellow graphic shows an older woman smiling and interacting with two social robots—PARO, a fluffy white seal, and LOVOT, a small green robot. On the left, bold text reads: ‘Ethical Considerations for Social Robots in Long-Term Care’ with four bullet points: Inequitable access, Consent, Substitution of human care, and Infantilization. A small orange label says ‘New Article’.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 19/03/2025

Our very own founder and lead, @nurselillian.bsky.social, will be speaking at Providence Health Care’s West Coast Conference on Aging in Vancouver this June! We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share insights from our #PatientOrientedResearch.

A speaker announcement for Providence Health Care’s West Coast Conference on Aging featuring Dr. Lillian Hung. On the left, a circular portrait shows Dr. Hung smiling with short auburn hair and glasses. To the right, bold black text announces the conference. Below, her title and affiliation with UBC’s Innovation in Dementia and Aging Lab are listed. A yellow box at the bottom highlights the event dates: June 19-20.

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UBC IDEA Lab @idea.nursing.ubc.ca · 18/03/2025

Innovation in dementia and aging, now in the clouds. Follow along for more!

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