SCALA Workshop on Spatial Cognition and Spatial Communication in Ageing

On 20–21 May 2026, researchers from across Europe and beyond gathered in Rome for the SCALA workshop Spatial Cognition and Spatial Communication in Ageing. This first public event organised by the SCALA project brought together experts from psychology, linguistics, cognitive science, neuroscience, and ageing research to discuss how people perceive, navigate, and communicate about space throughout the lifespan.

The workshop provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, present current research, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations around one of the central themes of the SCALA project: understanding how spatial communication changes in typical and atypical ageing.

Bringing Together Diverse Perspectives

A major strength of the workshop was its interdisciplinary participants, each bringing their unique perspective to the table. Participants thus explored spatial cognition and communication from multiple perspectives and in different domains, ranging from navigation and spatial memory to language, gesture, and multimodal communication.

The keynote speakers highlighted different aspects of how humans represent and communicate spatial information:

• Albert Postma (Utrecht University) discussed research on navigation, wayfinding, and spatial memory, with particular attention to the challenges faced by older adults and individuals with cognitive impairments. Amongst other things, he reported on research done with patients suffering from Korsakov syndrom using error learning as method to improve independent navigation and wayfinding.
• Linda Smith (Indiana University Bloomington) presented work on the development of spatial concepts through interaction with the environment, offering insights into the foundations of spatial understanding across the lifespan. One aspect she discussed pertained to how children learn effectively from little data (in contrast to modern machine learning approaches).
• Beyza Sümer (University of Amsterdam) explored the relationship between spatial cognition, sign languages, and multimodal communication, demonstrating how spatial information is expressed through different communicative channels. One aspect she highlighted was the role of iconicity in sign language.

Key Themes and Discussions

Throughout the two-day workshop, participants addressed a range of topics relevant to ageing and communication, including:

• Changes in navigation and wayfinding abilities through aging;
• Multimodal approaches to spatial communication, including gesture and sign language;
• The relationship between cognitive ageing and communication challenges;
• Opportunities for technology-assisted support and intervention.

Discussions highlighted the need for greater integration between cognitive, linguistic, and technological approaches to better understand the experiences of older adults and to develop effective support strategies.

The workshop directly contributed to the broader objectives of the SCALA project by fostering dialogue between researchers working on complementary aspects of spatial cognition and communication. By facilitating communication across diverse fields, the workshop reflected SCALA’s commitment to ensuring that research on ageing and communication remains relevant, accessible, and impactful.

We would like to thank all speakers, participants, and organisers who contributed to the success of the workshop. Their insights and engagement helped create a stimulating environment for advancing research on spatial cognition and spatial communication in ageing.