On Thursday, 12th March 2026, HCID and City St George’s, University of London hosted an engaging alumni panel exploring a timely and important question: how do we design technology that works for - and with - an ageing population?

Panellists

• Becca Epstein (MSc Human-Computer Interaction Design, 2021) - Research and Inclusion Manager, Royal Ballet and Opera

• Brian Grellmann (MSc Human-Computer Interaction Design, 2017) - UX Research & Accessibility Lead, Aviva

• Dr Nicolas Hine - Retired from position as Professor in UX Engineering, City St George's, University of London

• Professor Stephanie Wilson - Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, City St George's, University of London

A growing (and changing) audience

With projections showing that 1 in 4 people in the UK will be over 65 by 2039, the panel highlighted a clear challenge: designing technology that not only accommodates ageing, but actively supports meaningful, joyful experiences across the lifespan.

Rather than framing ageing in terms of decline, the conversation repeatedly challenged this narrative. Age, as several speakers noted, is a poor predictor of capability. Instead, people’s needs, motivations, and experiences are far more diverse—and far more important to design for.

Moving beyond stereotypes

A key theme throughout the discussion was the need to move away from treating “older adults” as a single, homogeneous group.

Panellists shared how assumptions, such as older people being “technophobic” or less capable, often fall apart in real-world research. From confident screen reader users to highly digitally engaged retirees, the reality is far more nuanced.

Instead, speakers advocated for:

• Capability-based design rather than age-based segmentation

• Deep, contextual research to understand real lives (not assumptions)

• Designing for variation, not averages

Designing for joy, not just usability

One of the most striking threads running through the panel was the emphasis on joy. Whether through cultural experiences at the Royal Ballet and Opera or co-designed virtual worlds for stroke survivors, speakers highlighted that technology should do more than “work”- it should enhance people’s lives.

Designing for older adults, then, becomes less about removing friction and more about enabling meaningful experiences, supporting creativity and participation, and preserving moments of connection and enjoyment

Inclusion means offering choice

Another powerful takeaway was the importance of choice and flexibility.

Examples from industry have shown how seemingly “efficient” digital transformations (such as mobile-only tickets) can unintentionally exclude users. Inclusive design, in contrast, often means providing multiple ways to complete tasks, supporting both digital and non-digital journeys and designing end-to-end experiences, not just interfaces.

This approach benefits not only older users, but everyone.

Co-design, care, and complexity

Across academic and industry perspectives, one message stood out: there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

From ethnographic studies to co-design workshops, the panel emphasised working with people over time, building trust, understanding context, and designing technologies that fit into real lives.

Importantly, discussions around care and independence also surfaced deeper tensions:

• How do we support without removing agency?

• How do we balance usefulness with privacy?

• When does technology help—and when does it become intrusive?

The panel closed on a hopeful note, pointing to emerging opportunities, particularly around AI and personalisation, while also acknowledging the ethical and design challenges ahead.

What’s clear is that designing for an ageing population is not a niche concern. It is a lens through which we can rethink technology for everyone.