Cognitive Empowerment Program
The Charlie and Harriet Shaffer Cognitive Empowerment Program (CEP) is a joint effort between Emory University’s Brain Health Center and the Georgia Institute of Technology to promote innovative research and therapy programs for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. The James M. Cox Foundation and Cox Enterprises, Inc. are supporting the Cognitive Empowerment Program with a $23.7 million gift. Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology (IPaT), SimTigrate Design Lab in the College of Design, and other programs and labs across campus are testing and refining new technologies and innovations in built environments that promote long-term health and independence.
Core Areas
Therapy
Building evidence-based programs for nutrition, exercise, and cognitive strategies.
Built Environment
Researching how innovative design can improve cognition, mood, and functioning.
Technology
Collecting and analyzing data from sensors, wearables, and platforms.
Innovation Accelerator
Engaging people with MCI, students, researchers, and industry.
Seed Grants
The CEP's Innovation Accelerator (IA) awarded $150,000 in seed grants to grow the body of literature in the MCI space during the last three years. LEARN MORE
Innovation Accelerator
The Innovation Accelerator serves to connect academic, clinical, and student researchers with people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their care partners to collaborate on projects that aim to improve the quality of life and the lived experience of those affected by MCI. LEARN MORE
Partners
The Cognitive Empowerment Program is made possible thanks to a generous donation from the James M. Cox Foundation and Cox Enterprises, Inc. We also value our collaborations with:
Resources
Click on a photo to download the image.
CEP Research Symposiums
The Charlie and Harriet Shaffer Cognitive Empowerment Program hosted three annual research symposiums (2021 - 2023) to share and discuss research aimed at empowering people living with mild cognitive impairment. During these events we heard from CEP researchers, members and care partners about accomplishments to date and directions for the future.
Previous Symposiums
CEP Symposiums 2022 and 2021. (There are recordings for 2021 and 2022, but not 2023).
News
Cognitive Empowerment Program Opens Doors to First Members
The new Georgia Tech-Emory University Cognitive Empowerment Program provides people with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers with resources, education, and “a whole new level of hope.”
View recorded sessions of the inaugural research symposium, January 2021:
CEP Research Symposium (Part 1 - Opening Plenary)
CEP Research Symposium (Part 2 - 2020 Seed Grant Reports)
CEP Research Symposium (Part 3 - Closing Plenary)
