Meetings

The GoodBrother COST Action has facilitated a wide range of meetings to coordinate effortsand achieve its objectives. These have included Management Committee meetings, joint Working Group sessions, and focused Task Force gatherings, held both in person and online, to address specific research and development goals. The Action’s Core Group has conducted regular online meetings to manage activities and ensure alignment with COST policies and strategic priorities. Individual Working Groups have also met virtually to collaborate on deliverables, exchange knowledge, and advance the shared goal of developing privacy-aware audio- and video-based applications for Active and Assisted Living (AAL). These meetings have provided essential platforms for interdisciplinary dialogue, fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and policy stakeholders.

The GoodBrother COST Action has held several face-to-face meetings, bringing together members to collaborate on key objectives, share progress, and strengthen interdisciplinary connections.

Management Committee meetings

1st MC Meeting – Online – 29-30 September 2020

The first Management Committee meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action was held online on 29–30 September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were introduced to the Action’s aims, which focus on privacy-aware audio- and video-based applications for Active and Assisted Living (AAL). The meeting established the Action’s initial structure and leadership roles, electing Francisco Florez Revuelta as Chair and Liane Colonna as Vice-Chair. Key short-term goals included launching the Action’s website and social media platforms, developing a corporate image, and disseminating activities. Objectives were set for the Working Groups (WGs), such as defining tasks, fostering collaboration, and engaging stakeholders. The meeting also addressed practical considerations, including a hybrid format for future events and budget allocation for STSMs, ITC Conference Grants, and dissemination efforts. Ethical guidelines and inclusivity principles for technology design were emphasised throughout.

2nd MC Meeting – Alicante, Spain – 9-10 September 2021

The second Management Committee meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action was held on 9–10 September 2021 in Alicante, Spain, with both in-person and virtual participation. Key updates included the progress of Working Groups, the implementation of COST policies on inclusivity and gender balance, and dissemination efforts such as the development of the Action’s website and social media. Leadership roles were reviewed, with new appointments proposed for WG1, WG3, and the Grant Awarding Coordinator. Discussions covered budget planning for the second grant period, preparations for a training school, and plans for upcoming meetings and deliverables. Practical strategies for enhancing participation and strengthening international collaboration were also addressed.

3rd MC Meeting – Naples, Italy – 8-9 September 2022

The third Management Committee meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action was held in Naples, Italy, on 8–9 September 2022, with in-person and online participation. Updates included progress on Working Group deliverables, new leadership roles, and efforts to enhance participation, particularly among early-career researchers. Key discussions focused on completing second-year objectives, planning the third grant period, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration. Highlights included research presentations on privacy, AI, and AAL applications, as well as updates on successful training schools and dissemination efforts. The meeting underscored the importance of aligning scientific activities with COST policies on inclusivity and gender balance, while also emphasising the need for more dynamic dissemination strategies and partnerships with other initiatives.

4th MC Meeting – Tarragona, Spain – 7-8 September 2023

The fourth Management Committee meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action was held on 7–8 September 2023 in Tarragona, Spain, with in-person and online participation. Updates included progress from Working Groups, implementation of COST policies on inclusivity and early-career researcher engagement, and dissemination activities. Highlights included research presentations on generative AI, smart living environments, and privacy-focused technologies, as well as task force collaborations on ethical and technical aspects of monitoring systems. Plans for the final year were discussed, including completing deliverables, organising dissemination events, and hosting a final conference in Alicante. The meeting reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

5th MC Meeting – Alicante, Spain – 20 June 2024

The final Management Committee meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action was held on 20 June 2024 in Alicante, Spain, as part of the Joint visuAAL-GoodBrother Conference on Trustworthy Video- and Audio-Based Assistive Technologies. The meeting reviewed the Action’s achievements, including increased participation by young researchers and progress across Working Groups. Key updates included ongoing efforts to complete deliverables, such as ethical guidelines for monitoring systems and a curated repository of datasets. Dissemination activities, including two planned books and public engagement initiatives, were highlighted. This meeting underscored the Action’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and its legacy in privacy-aware AAL technologies.

Working Group meetings

WGs Meeting – Multiple locations – 21 June 2021

The Working Groups meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action on 21 June 2021 was organised as a decentralised event due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted locally at multiple on-site locations with virtual components, the meeting facilitated collaboration across Working Groups (WG1–WG4). The agenda included dedicated sessions for each WG to discuss progress, address challenges, and advance Year-1 deliverables. Updates were shared on opportunities such as Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs), ITC Conference Grants, and Virtual Mobility Grants. Communication tools like Slack and dedicated email lists were highlighted to enhance engagement. The meeting aimed to strengthen connections among participants, expand involvement in WGs, and ensure deliverables were on track for completion.

WG3 Meeting – Rome, Italy – 11 October 2021

A Working Group 3 (WG3) meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action took place in Rome on 11 October 2021, with most participants joining online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting focused on finalising the review document, Review of the State of the Art of Audio- and Video-Based Solutions for AAL, which offers a detailed overview of current technologies and applications in Active and Assisted Living (AAL). Participants discussed contributions from interdisciplinary experts across Europe, covering topics such as video- and audio-based technologies, multimodal data fusion, privacy-preserving approaches, and user acceptance. The meeting also highlighted the integration of inputs from other Working Groups to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive deliverable​.

WG3 Meeting – Lecce, Italy – 23-24 May 2022

A Working Group 3 (WG3) meeting of the GoodBrother COST Action took place on 23-24 May 2022 in Lecce, Italy, alongside the GoodBrother Vis4AAL Workshop on Visual Intelligence for Active and Assisted Living. The meeting included in-person and online participation and focused on updates from WG3 Leaders, presentations on speech and audio technologies, ambient intelligence, and privacy-preserving methods, as well as planning for funding opportunities and scientific events. The accompanying workshop featured contributions from Action members and external experts, showcasing advancements in video-based AAL technologies, including mobility assessment, fall detection, dietary monitoring, and cognitive rehabilitation, while addressing ethical and privacy concerns in AAL systems.

WG1 and WG2 Meeting – Zagreb, Croatia – 27-28 June 2022

The Working Groups 1 and 2 (WG1 and WG2) of the GoodBrother COST Action held a joint meeting on 27-28 June 2022 at the Catholic University of Croatia in Zagreb, alongside the GoodBrother Workshop on Privacy-Friendly and Trustworthy Technology for Society. The meeting focused on drafting the Position Paper on Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Linked to Audio- and Video-Based AAL Solutions. Participants presented the current state of research and collaboratively worked on outlining ethical, legal, and social aspects of Active and Assisted Living (AAL) technologies, particularly privacy and trust concerns. The meeting fostered interdisciplinary discussion and highlighted policy recommendations to address individual, societal, and regulatory challenges. Results of the collaborative effort were presented during the workshop, which featured contributions from Action members and external experts.

WG1, WG3, and WG4 Meeting – Reading, United Kingdom – 13-14 February 2023

The joint Working Group meeting involving WG1, WG3, and WG4 of the GoodBrother COST Action was held on 13–14 February 2023 at the University of Reading, UK, with both in-person and online participation. The meeting covered updates from the Working Groups, research presentations, and discussions on the development of the Position Paper on Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Linked to Audio- and Video-Based AAL Solutions. Topics included digital literacy in AAL technologies, qualitative studies on user attitudes, and socio-technical theories related to surveillance and monitoring. Collaborative sessions focused on identifying challenges and opportunities in AAL technologies and task force activities to enhance cross-WG synergies. The meeting concluded with plans for implementing STSMs, ITC Conference Grants, and dissemination activities​.

WG2, WG3, and WG4 Meeting – Istanbul, Turkey – 27-28 April 2023

The joint Working Group meeting for WG2, WG3, and WG4 of the GoodBrother COST Action was held on 27–28 April 2023 at Istanbul Technical University, Turkey, with in-person and online participation. The meeting featured updates on ongoing and planned activities from the Working Groups and included diverse research presentations. Topics included privacy-preserving face analytics, the ODIN dataset, and neuroprivacy advancements. Sessions also engaged local organisations, such as Turkcell and TUBITAK, showcasing real-world applications of AI and privacy-enhancing technologies. Collaborative efforts focused on task forces, deliverables, and research papers, with discussions on the implementation of grants and dissemination opportunities. The meeting provided a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthened connections between academia, industry, and local stakeholders.

Task Force meetings

Task Force on Smart Mirrors – Ciudad Real, Spain – 17-18 October 2023

The Task Force on Smart Mirrors of the GoodBrother COST Action held a joint meeting between WG1 and WG3 on 17–18 October 2023 in Ciudad Real, Spain. The meeting featured a demonstration of smart mirrors at the University of Castilla – La Mancha, followed by discussions on potential scenarios for their application. Participants engaged with sociologists to explore social implications and collaborated on drafting a paper or report. On the second day, the group focused on finalising the paper and discussing opportunities for joint projects or dissemination activities. The meeting concluded with plans to advance interdisciplinary research and promote the development of privacy-aware smart mirror solutions​.

Task Force on guidelines on the design and development of ethical-aware monitoring systems – Gouda, Netherlands – 26-27 February 2024

The Task Force on Creating Guidelines for Ethical-Aware Monitoring Systems of the GoodBrother COST Action met on 26–27 February 2024 in Gouda, Netherlands. The meeting focused on advancing the development of guidelines, including reviewing the current status, discussing content, and allocating tasks. Participants worked on establishing milestones, a timeline, and potential venues for publishing or presenting the guidelines. The group also addressed the dissemination of the Position Paper on Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues. The meeting provided a platform for collaborative efforts to ensure the guidelines align with ethical principles and practical implementation strategies​.

Task Force on Smart Mirrors – Valletta, Malta – 11-12 April 2024

The Task Force on Smart Mirrors of the GoodBrother COST Action held a meeting on 11–12 April 2024 at the University of Malta, Valletta Campus. The meeting focused on refining and finalising the article titled “Can Smart Mirrors Be Transparent?”. Participants worked on reviewing contributions, assigning tasks, and drafting sections of the article, with discussions centred on ethical and technological aspects. The second day addressed feedback, enhanced the article’s structure, and incorporated ethical and legal perspectives. The meeting concluded with a final review, a discussion on the dissemination strategy, and planning for submission. Action items, responsibilities, and timelines were summarised before closing.