Meet the Datavysts fellows
Across Europe, our Datavysts Fellows are putting AI and data science into practice, combining technical expertise with social innovation to address real societal and environmental challenges.
But we start with a simple question:
What if AI and data science were designed first and foremost for the common good?
Grounded in the Datavysts Manifesto , our work advances AI that is ethical, accountable, and impact-focused.
In this edition, Owen Soontjens of Ghent University reflects on his research and approach to advancing active ageing.
90% of Belgian older adults do not meet the guidelines for muscle strengthening.*
Since joining the research team at Ghent University in Belgium, I have been working on active ageing in response to the rapid growth of the older population. As more people live longer, healthcare systems, social services, and families are facing increasing pressure. Supporting people to stay healthy and independent as they age is therefore becoming a major public health priority. Physical activity plays an important role in this. Regular activity helps maintain physical and cognitive function, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and supports independence later in life. To guide countries and communities, the World Health Organization has developed physical activity guidelines and declared 2021-2030 the Decade of Healthy Ageing as a signal for the urgency of turning scientific evidence into real-world action.
When reviewing the current situation, we identified an important gap related to muscle-strengthening activities (MSA). According to the most recent Belgian national health survey (Sciensano, 2023-2024), only 10% of adults aged 65 and older meet the recommendation to perform MSA at least twice per week. This is the lowest rate across all age groups. In comparison, around 25% of older adults meet the recommendations for aerobic activity. While both types of activity need improvement, MSA seem to receive far less attention in both research and practice, despite their key role in maintaining strength, balance, and daily functioning in older age.
There are several possible reasons why older adults may not engage in MSA, including physical limitations, lack of access, misconceptions, or limited awareness of the guidelines. We were particularly interested in awareness and understanding, as no previous studies have specifically explored how older adults interpret MSA or the related recommendations. Understanding this is crucial if we want to close the gap between public health advice and people’s everyday lives.
To address this, we are developing and validating a survey that examines older adults’ awareness, knowledge, and interpretation of MSA and their guidelines. The survey will also explore how these factors relate to their willingness and readiness to participate. At the moment, we are conducting a test–retest reliability study with adults aged 65 and older to ensure that the questions are clear, understandable, and logically structured. Once validated, the survey will be available in the five most commonly spoken languages in Belgium (Dutch, French, English, Turkish, and Arabic) and distributed nationwide to capture regional and cultural differences. This project forms the foundation of a broader research programme that combines public health, behavioural science, and participatory approaches to produce meaningful and socially relevant evidence. We look forward to sharing the results and next steps soon!
* (Sciensano, 2025)
Turning Commitment into Action
Owen’s research brings our manifesto commitments to life.
More Fellows will follow, sharing work across health, climate, democracy, and beyond.
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