The STARS-Health Project, part of the STARS EU framework, recently presented its roadmap to guide older adults in the use of digital health management services, thereby contributing more effectively to reducing health inequalities among the senior population.

Led by Hanze University of Applied Sciences, together with the universities of La Laguna (Spain), West (Sweden), Silesian (Czech Republic) and Bragança (Portugal), STARS-Health officially began its journey with a workshop held in Groningen (the Netherlands). The event also included an online launch, joined by patient organisations, healthcare professionals, educators and researchers.

Opening the session, Rima Dijkstra, STARS EU coordinator, highlighted the importance of collaboration in initiatives of this kind, which are so vital to society. This was further emphasised by Prof. Dr Hans Hobbelen, researcher and professor at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, who warned about the growing number of older adults against a backdrop of a progressively shrinking healthcare workforce — a challenge that underlines the urgent need for projects such as this.

The session continued with presentations, follow-up and updates on the project — developed within the framework of the Thematic Interest Group (TIG) Healthy Ageing — led by the different Work Package leaders. Throughout, participants reaffirmed their strong commitment to the shared mission: to empower older adults with low health literacy by improving access to and use digital services.

Project phases

The first phase of STARS-Health focuses on analysing the current situation of older adults, informal caregivers and healthcare professionals struggling with digital tools. The second phase involves conducting interviews in Sweden, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain and Portugal.

The project will only select digital applications that meet strict usability criteria for older adults, co-create a digital environment in which users and professionals can jointly select the most suitable apps, and develop training programmes to support professionals in guiding both older adults and their caregivers.

In addition to the professionals involved, students will play an active role by identifying and classifying apps in their own countries — a clear example of co-creation in action. STARS-Health will also collaborate with @Label2Enable and other European initiatives such as #Care about IT, #Health Noord, #HealthTech in Society and #Proeftuin Toegankelijke Digitale Zorg, which work towards more accessible and inclusive digital healthcare. These synergies broaden the project’s reach and reinforce its impact across Europe.

Research team

The project’s research team, comprising five of the nine partners of STARS EU along with the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), is led by Prof. Dr Johannes Hobbelen and Dr. Sandra Jorna-Lakke (Hanze University of Applied Sciences); Margareta Karlsson (University West); Rui Pedro Lopes (Polytechnic Institute of Bragança); Sara Darias-Curvo (University of La Laguna); Markéta Skalná (Silesian University in Opava); and Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez (Canary Islands Health Service).

STARS-Health will run for three years with funding of €912,060, granted by the European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS). This is a co-funded action under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Framework Programme (2021–2027) of the European Union.

Over 40 researchers and leading academics from the different STARS EU universities took part in the international research workshop of STARS EU, held on 8–9 September at University West in Trollhättan, Sweden. The meeting aimed to intensify scientific collaboration in two areas of excellence: Production Technology and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).

During the two days, participants shared experiences, presented research lines and explored potential joint projects in fields such as robotics, electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, health sciences and pedagogy. The working environment fostered the emergence of new academic networks and the design of common strategies to address challenges in higher education and industry.

The programme included presentations on advanced production technologies, campus visits, networking sessions and an official dinner. The second day focused on the research environment in WIL, with special emphasis on the application of innovative methodologies in artificial intelligence, information systems and applied local development.

Synergies and collaborations

The workshop made it possible to identify synergies and pave the way for strong and competitive collaborations between universities, as highlighted by Per Assmo, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Internationalisation at University West: “The member universities of STARS EU collectively offer both breadth and depth, providing the potential for strong and competitive transdisciplinary research partnerships.”

The event coincided with the annual EAIE conference in Gothenburg, making it easier for researchers to attend both meetings and broaden their contacts within the European academic space.

University West (Sweden) will host a research workshop aimed at intensifying scientific collaboration within the STARS EU Alliance. This event, taking place on 8 and 9 September 2025, will bring together prominent researchers from various European universities, including those in the alliance, to present, share and foster new networks and joint projects in two areas of excellence: Production Technology and Work-Integrated Learning.

Renowned for its focus on advanced production technologies and integrated learning methodologies, University West offers an ideal setting for an international meeting whose significance lies in the direct exchange of knowledge. Sharing experiences among researchers will help to promote synergies that drive innovation and academic development in key areas for industry and higher education.

Participants will have the opportunity to present their research lines over the course of the two-day meeting, during which potential partnerships will be explored and strategies discussed to address common challenges in various fields — from production technology, robotics, electrical engineering and artificial intelligence to health sciences and pedagogy, among others.

Programme and activities

The research workshop will take place on 8 and 9 September 2025 at the university’s campus in Trollhättan (Sweden). The programme will begin on Monday 8 with a lunch and an institutional welcome by Vice-Chancellor Mats Jägstam and Professor Per Assmo, Head of Internationalisation. This will be followed by presentations on the main research focus areas in Production Technology, including robotic welding, simulation, electrical and electronic engineering, as well as the doctoral programmes linked to these fields.

In the afternoon, STARS EU alliance partners will take the floor to present their research lines in a session designed to identify common interests and pave the way for new collaborations. The day will conclude with a campus tour, a networking session and an official dinner.

Tuesday 9 will be dedicated to the research environment in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), with presentations focusing on artificial intelligence, information systems, pedagogy, health sciences and applied local development. The day will end with a discussion session on future collaborations within the alliance and a lunch featuring a showcase of international education programmes offered by University West.

The workshop is free of charge and includes meals. Participants may apply for funding through the ERASMUS+ programme to cover their travel and accommodation expenses, reinforcing the alliance’s commitment to accessibility and academic exchange.

This event also coincides with the annual EAIE conference in Gothenburg, making it easier for attendees to participate in both events and broadening networking opportunities across the European space.

For more information:

Information about WIL:https://www.hv.se/en/research/research-environments/area-of-strength-work-integrated-learning/

Information about PT: https://www.hv.se/en/research/research-environments/production-technology/