Multi and interdisciplinary working is crucial to addressing societal challenges. In this talk, Dr Marston will consider the challenges and benefits of organically creating an international, multi-site consortium, consisting of international experts from the fields of social sciences, technology and gerontology. Consortium building was a response to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic (April 2020) initiated by Dr Hannah Marston (Faculty of Wellbeing Education and Language Studies, The Open University) to explore digital technology and everyday practices during the pandemic. Titled ‘COVID-19: Technology, social connections, loneliness and leisure activities’, this project aimed to understand digital practices such as home schooling, to social connectedness, quiz nights and keeping connected with other ecosystems, for example GPs, hospital consultants, home smart devices etc including exploring people’s health and wellbeing during the pandemic.

She will discuss her learning from this consortium building experience, the changes that Covid-19 brought about in people’s use of technology and how these are impacting the post-Covid-19 society.