Media release, 13 October 2011
For immediate release
Older people 'Left To Their Own Devices'?
A national photography competition launched today (13 October 2011) sets out to challenge our preconceptions about how older people interact with technology now and in the future.
Entitled 'Left to Our Own Devices', the contest is run jointly by Age UK, a national charity, and KT EQUAL, a research consortium dedicated to improving the lives of older and disabled people.
Entries will be judged not only on their photographic merit but also on how they address issues related to the central theme of older people's interactions with technology -- perhaps by challenging stereotypes, defying expectations or delivering a powerful message.
The most successful images will be selected from across four categories:
- Gadgets and Gizmos
- In the Home
- Out and About
- an open category
All the selected images will be included in a touring exhibition that will visit the Parliament at Westminster and the Assemblies at Cardiff and Stormont, and finishing at the Scottish Parliament next spring.
One image in each category will also receive a cash prize of £250.
The judging panel will consist of:
- Christina McBride, Lecturer in Photography at Glasgow School of Art
- Professor Trevor Cox, a member of the KT-EQUAL consortium
- Phil Rossall, Research Manager (Knowledge Management) at Age UK
Professor Gail Mountain, Director of the KT-EQUAL consortium, said:
"For older people, as for all of us, technology can be exciting and empowering -- but it can also seem baffling or even threatening at times. So we're challenging British photographers to come up with images that capture different aspects of the complex relationship between people and the devices they create."
Phil Rossall of Age UK said:
"Technology for older people can take many forms. It's not just computers and smartphones, it's anything which can make later life more comfortable, more rewarding or less arduous.
"At Age UK, we’re interested in new technology less for its technical merits than for its tangible benefits for quality of life – something we hope this competition will help to promote."
The contest is free to enter at lefttoourowndevices.org.uk, where users can also browse other entries and take part in online discussions on the thoughts they provoke.
The closing date for entries is 31 January 2012.
Ends
For more information or sample images
Contact Toby Wardman, Communications Officer for KT-EQUAL, on toby@40k.org.uk.
Notes for editors
About the competition
- Entries are welcome from both amateur and professional photographers.
- Judging criteria and other rules of entry are listed at lefttoourowndevices.org.uk.
- Entrants retain copyright over the images they submit, subject to acceptance of standard terms and conditions for entry.
About KT-EQUAL
KT-EQUAL is a consortium of UK researchers dedicated to extending quality life for older and disabled people. We work to ensure that years of investment in high-quality research translate into real benefits that have an impact on people's lives.
About Age UK
Age UK has a vision of a world in which older people flourish. We aim to improve later life for everyone through our information and advice, campaigns, products, training and research.
