INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME

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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Alan Walker University of Sheffield
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING PROGRAMME BACKGROUND,
OBJECTIVES AND RESEARCH AGENDA

• The Research Councils Working in Partnership
• The New Dynamics of Ageing Objectives
• The New Dynamics of Ageing Research Agenda
• The NDA Second Call
• Expectations of Programme Participation

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE RESEARCH COUNCILS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

• EQUAL Initiative
• The Interdisciplinary Imperative
• The UK National Collaboration on Ageing Research
  2001-4
• The Cross-Council Committee on Ageing Research
• The New Dynamics of Ageing Programme 2005-10

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE RESEARCH COUNCILS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
2005-10
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
KEY RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the new dynamics of ageing, what are the
influences shaping them (behavioural, biological,
clinical, cultural, historical, social and
technological) and how can their consequences be
managed to achieve the maximum benefits for older
people?
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

• To explore the ways in which individual ageing is
  subject to different influences over the life
  course
• To understand the dynamic ways in which the
  meaning and experience of ageing are currently
  changing and becoming more diverse
• To investigate the diverse ways in which ageing
  is/has been understood and represented at
  different times and in different cultures
• To encourage and support the development of
  innovative interdisciplinary research groups and
  methods
• To provide a sound evidence base for policy and
  practice (including the development of prototype
  systems, procedures and devices) so that research
  contributes to well-being and quality of life

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
SUBSIDIARY OBJECTIVES

• Generate new knowledge on the ageing process and,
  particularly, the factors contributing to ageing
  well
• Deploy and develop new interdisciplinary
  perspectives on ageing research
• Encourage comparative research, for instance on a
  regional, (inter) national, ethnic, cultural,
  historical or social basis, with a particular
  emphasis on the global north/south divide
• Help to create a new generation of
  interdisciplinary researchers
• Contribute to policy, practice and product
  development
• Provide new opportunities for UK science to link
  with those in the EU and North America
• Identify opportunities for further research
  beyond the life of the programme

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO INTERDISCIPLINARY
RESEARCH

• Interdisciplinary initiatives to develop and
  apply methodologies that bridge disciplinary
  boundaries
• Interdisciplinary collaboration in secondary
  analysis
• Development of new methods/broadening existing
  approaches

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
RESEARCH THEMES
1. Ageing Well Across the Lifecourse
i) Active Ageing ii) Autonomy and
Independence iii) Later Life Transitions iv) The
Oldest Old
2. Ageing and its Environments
i) Resources for Ageing ii) Locality, Place and
Participation iii) The Built and Technological
Environments iv) The Global Dynamics of Ageing
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• New Interdisciplinary Collaborations and
  Perspectives
• New Knowledge on Ageing Processes and Experiences
• New Products, Systems, Procedures, Policies and
  Practices
• A New Generation of Interdisciplinary Researchers
  
• Even Stronger Links with Other Countries

• Research for Quality of Life in Old Age

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
THREE KEY PRINCIPLES

• High Quality Research and/or Engineering
• Multi- and Interdisciplinary Collaboration (the 2
  Research Council threshold for CRPs)
• User Involvement

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
THE SECOND CALL FOR PROPOSALS

• Preparatory Networks(leading to applications for
  Collaborative Research Projects in 2007)

• Programme Grants

• 3.5 (FEC)
• ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, BBSRC, AHRC
• Outline Applications
• Full research agenda (Global Dynamics)
• Closing date 4pm on 14th November
• Follow-up meetings

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
TOP TIPS

• Reflect the ambition of the Programme
• Emphasise multidisciplinarity, user engagement
  and innovation
• Think in terms of policy/practice impact or
  product development to enhance quality of life as
  people age
• Are there new methodological approaches to
  multidisciplinary research?
• Remember that applications are subject to
  multidisciplinary peer review
• Emphasise high quality research, science and
  engineering

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
EXPECTATIONS OF PROGRAMME PARTICIPATION
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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BEING PART OF A RESEARCH PROGRAMME

• Collaboration in and Contribution to the Programme

• Information about project achievements
• Open to collaboration with other
  projects/Programme activities
• Establish website within 6 months
• Contribute to Programme events e.g. workshops
• Acknowledge NDA funding

• Involvement in NDA training/capacity building
• Encourage development and participation of
  contract researchers
• Produce a draft Project Communication and Data
  Management Plan within one month
• Produce a short policy, practice or product
  impact statement
• Contribute to Programme publications
• Respond to requests for progress updates
• Provide an annual progress report
• Provide a final end of award report

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
CONTACT INFORMATION
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR APPLICATIONS!
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, Manchester,
29 June 2006