ELSA at the UCL200 Dementia Research Showcase

The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) joined researchers from across UCL for a special public showcase celebrating dementia research. Visitors to the ELSA stand found out about how the study is helping researchers understand cognitive health and dementia risk as people grow older.

ELSA took part in the UCL200 Dementia Research Showcase on 18 September 2026, an event highlighting the breadth of dementia research taking place across UCL.

Held as part of UCL's bicentenary celebrations, the showcase brought together research groups from across the university for a day of interactive activities and displays. Visitors included members of the public alongside prospective and current undergraduate students and PhD students.

ELSA researchers Dr Mikaela Bloomberg and Dr Yaqing Gao led ELSA's contribution to the showcase, talking to visitors about the study and explaining how following the same people over many years can help researchers understand changes in memory and thinking as people age.

Cognitive function has been measured throughout ELSA, alongside a wide range of information about participants' health, lifestyles, social circumstances and economic circumstances. This allows researchers to study the many factors associated with cognitive ageing and the risk of dementia.

Visitors could also put some common claims about brain health to the test with our Fact or Fiction? activity. How would you do?