Reflecting on the Participant Let Rapid Realist Review Process

On September 12th the COALESCE team held a deliberative dialogue session to reflect on the completion of the project’s Participant Led Rapid Realist Review (PLRRR) and to bring participants together; older adult co-researchers and student researchers, for collaborative discussion and knowledge sharing.

The session provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their experiences contributing to the review process, discuss key themes that emerged, and explore how climate change is shaping the daily lives, wellbeing, and environments of older adults across the Lower Mainland and globally.

Facilitated by visiting Professor Sally Fowler Davis of Anglia Ruskin University, the dialogue focused on the value of lived experience within climate and aging research and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for older adults to contribute meaningfully as co-researchers.

Throughout the session, participants shared reflections on:

• What they learned through the PLRRR process
• Challenges and opportunities related to climate resilience and healthy aging
• The importance of social connection and community participation
• Ways future research and policy can better support older adults in a changing climate

Key outcomes from the deliberative dialogue sessionincluded strengthened relationships across the research team, valuable participant feedback to inform future project activities, and a shared commitment to continuing collaborative and community-driven approaches to climate action and aging research.

The session reinforced one of the central goals of COALESCE: recognizing older adults not simply as participants, but as leaders, knowledge holders, and active contributors to climate resilience and community wellbeing.