Opportunities provided by SHARE in research discussed at RSU Researchers’ Breakfast

SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) survey covers 28 European countries and Israel. Within the survey interviews with individuals aged 50 and over were conducted to find out their assessment of physical and mental health, economic situation, the stability of family and social relations and other topical matters. This year the data of Wave 7 were released, for the first time covering Latvia, among other countries. These data are an essential source of information for RSU students and researchers who are interested in ageing processes within the society and are planning to address this matter in their Bachelor’s Master’s and doctoral theses and scientific publications.

The task of the SHARE Latvia researcher team was to collect data based on a large number of interviews. While, data analysis and drawing of conclusions are in within the competence of the institutions, universities, researchers and students. For example, officials from ministries and municipal institutions are free to use these data to make research-based decisions in healthcare, management of social work, finance and economics. While, researchers will benefit from these data while implementing various projects.

SHARE Project Coordinator from Estonia and the researcher from the University of Tallinn Tiina Tambaum shared the experience associated with the implementation of the project and use of the obtained data in Estonia. Whereas, the researcher from the Vilnius University and SHARE Coordinator from Lithuania Antanas Kairys gave an overview of the implementation of the project in Lithuania and the benefits from the survey in his home country.

BFinally, the participants discussed the financial matters of the project. Currently, the SHARE data collection has been funded by the EC and co-funded by the RSU. Unfortunately, the grant provided by the EC DG EMPL (The Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) that covered 80% of the fieldwork expenses in the Baltic States since 2021 will no longer be available. Therefore, to continue the implementation of the project national funding will be required.

Presentations

Signe Tomsone – Opportunities of the SHARE survey for research activities
Andrejs Ivanovs – Overview of SHARE data
Tiina Tambaum – Experience of SHARE data usage in Estonia
Antanas Kairys – SHARE in Lithuania: the hard route to great future

Video footage