In this seminar, we will present ongoing research that is exploring how the physical environment supports older adults to carry out the personal projects that make life enjoyable, and is part of the Advanced Care Research Centre programme (https://www.ed.ac.uk/usher/advanced-care-research-centre). Personal projects is a concept developed by Brian Little, and describes the self-generated and purpose-oriented activities an individual is doing or planning to do.

Working across four sites in Scotland, this study aims to provide a detailed understanding of the types and qualities of environment that really make a difference to older people’s quality of life – their meaningful engagement with projects they wish to pursue in order to flourish – within a holistic context of what personal projects matter in their lives as a whole. Embarking on a research project during the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the ethical challenges involved in undertaking research with older people. We reflect on some of the challenges and opportunities we have experienced adapting to hybrid methods while ensuring that we accommodate the needs of the individuals and communities we are working with.