The Inquiry, which was launched in the previous Parliament, considered key issues facing older people in their full participation in society and examining whether the current policies in place are effective in addressing these challenges
Dr Emilene Zitkus, who is a Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Design at the School of Design and Creative Arts has expertise in digital inclusion was invited to give oral evidence to the Inquiry last year in a session which focussed on how older people are at risk of being digitally excluded in society. She answered a breadth of questions, including on what best practice in digital support for older people looks like, particularly in the context of services moving online since the pandemic
The Inquiry’s final report cited Dr Zitkus a total of thirteen times, for example on the current data on the digital exclusion of older people: “Dr Emilene Zitkus, an academic specialist in inclusive design at Loughborough University noted that these figures masked the true extent of older people’s exclusion. For example, within the group of older people who own smartphones, 50% require support from others to use them to access online services.” (pg 22-23). The citations reference both Dr Zitkus’s oral evidence as well as her initial written submission to the Inquiry’s call for evidence. The invitation to give oral evidence was given because the research and themes covered in her submission identified areas that the Committee wanted to dig into further
In its report the Committee raised digital exclusion from essential services, where it warned some older people are at high risk, including in aspects of healthcare, local authority services, benefits and banking, adding it is a ‘considerable failure of government’ that the UK’s digital inclusion strategy has not been updated in over a decade. It has, therefore, made the recommendation:
“The Government must bring forward a refreshed Digital Inclusion Strategy. The Strategy should have a detailed focus on the needs of digitally excluded older people, including a plan for funding locally delivered digital skills provision and promoting best practice in the public and private sectors in maintaining offline alternatives to digital for as long as needs remain, and a focus on broadband connectivity in rural and coastal areas.”
Dr Zitkus’s research focusing on digital exclusion has, therefore, directly informed the Committee’s conclusion and recommendations to the Government, to which it must respond. The Government typically responds within three months.
On 26 February, the UK Government announced its new Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which aims to give all people the appropriate tools to fully engage with all aspects of society.
Reflecting on the benefits of contributing her research expertise to the Inquiry, Dr Zitkus said:
“Contributing to this Inquiry has provided me with invaluable insight into how research directly translates into tangible policy changes. I have witnessed firsthand how our findings can address critical issues like digital exclusion among older adults, potentially shaping service provision for the better. My contributions to the Inquiry and the POST note report were all facilitated by colleagues at the Policy Unit, who have been a pleasure to work with. They helped me to clearly communicate research findings to diverse audiences, including policymakers."
"Through this experience, I have developed a more nuanced understanding of the policy landscape surrounding digital inclusion for older adults. This specialized knowledge will be invaluable in my future research and contributions to this critical area. I am deeply motivated by the potential to contribute to evidence-based policy development and am eager to continue collaborating with the Policy Unit on future initiatives that promote digital inclusion."