THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME

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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Novartis, London
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Alan Walker NDA Director University of Sheffield
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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 for CRPs
• Expectations of Programme Participation

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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 2005-12

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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THE RESEARCH COUNCILS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
2005-12
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO MULTI- AND
INTER-DISCIPLINARY 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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING RESEARCH PROGRAMME
FIRST ROUND OF COMMISSIONING

• 1.1 Two Collaborative Research Projects
• - Modelling Needs and Resources of Older
  People to 2030
• Mike Murphy, LSE
• - Optimising Quality of Sleep Among Older
  People
• Sara Arber, Surrey University
• 1.2 Eleven Preparatory Networks
• 1.3 Ten Programme Grants

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA PREPARATORY NETWORKS
Experiences and Uses of Technology in Older
Age Judith Sixsmith, Manchester Metropolitan
University Design Enabling Autonomy and
Independence through Smart Clothes and Wearable
Technology Jane McCann, University of Wales,
Newport Self Management of Chronic Disease in
Older People through Wireless Sensor
Networks Alison Marshall, University of
Leeds Working Late Strategies to Enhance
Productive and Healthy Environments for the Older
Workforce Cheryl Haslam, University of
Loughborough Cultural Perception and Adherence
to Exercise and Nutritional Interventions in
Older Individuals Claire Stewart, Manchester
Metropolitan University A Life Course Approach
to Healthy Ageing Diana Kuh, University College
London
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA PREPARATORY NETWORKS
Workplace Design for an Ageing Labour
Force Kerry Platman, University of
Warwick Seeking a New, Inter-disciplinary
Methodology to Quantify the Benefits of Housing
Interventions for Older People Frances Heywood,
University of Bristol Safety and Security for
Older People Rachel McCrindle, University of
Reading Adapting Support to Sustain Autonomy
Understanding the Implications of Changing
Capabilities for Older ICT users Leela
Damodaran, University of Loughborough The
Development of an Interdisciplinary Rural Ageing
Research Agenda Catherine Hennessy, University
of Plymouth
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA PROGRAMME PROJECTS
Ageing, well-being and development. A comparative
study of Brazil and South Africa Armando
Barrientos, University of Sussex Transitions,
choices and health at older ages life course
analyses of longitudinal data David Blane,
Imperial College London Psychometric testing of
the multidimensional older people's quality of
life (OPQOL) questionnaire and the causal model
of QoL under-pinning it Ann Bowling, University
College London Detecting and preventing
financial abuse of older adults and examination
of decision-making by managers and
professionals Mary Gilhooly, Brunel University
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA PROGRAMME PROJECTS
Maintaining dignity in later life a longitudinal
qualitative study of older people's experiences
of supportive care Liz Lloyd, University of
Bristol Innovation in envisioning dynamic
biiomechanical data to inform healthcare and
design practice Alastair Macdonald New metrics
for exploring the relationship between mobility
and successful ageing Lynn McInnes, Northumbria
University Promoting independence and social
engagement among older people in disadvantaged
community Michael Murray, Keele University
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA PROGRAMME PROJECTS
Older people's use of unfamiliar space Judith
Phillips, University of Wales Swansea Ageing,
poverty and neoliberalism in urban South
India Penny Vera-Sanso, Birkbeck College,
University of London Families and caring in
South Asian communities Christina Victor,
University of Reading Landscapes of
cross-generational engagement Peter Wright,
Sheffield Hallam University
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
THE SECOND CALL FOR PROPOSALS

• Open (obligatory for Preparatory Networks)
• Key topics
• - Active and healthy ageing
• - Autonomy and independence
• - Workplace design/older workers
• - Later life transitions
• - The built environment
• Minimum of two Research Councils
• Underrepresented disciplines arts and
  humanities, biology, engineering
• Call in September for outline proposals
• Deadline November 15th (decisions June 2008)
• Funding 8.7m (100FEC)

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS (CRPS)
A multi-disciplinary team of researches and end
users working in partnership to deliver a shared
research, training and knowledge transfer agenda

• High quality research
• Multi-disciplinarity
• User engagement

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Who participates? Academics Industrialists Policy
makers Older people Charities
Rational for CRPs
Multi-disciplinarity Some substantial research
problems cannot be addressed by single
disciplines alone
Responsive mode Single discipline proposals
should be sent to the most relevant Research
Council
Added value The whole is greater than the sum of
the parts
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
What does a CRP look like in the NDA
A CRP would be expected to have a core
multidisciplinary programme of work with a set of
overall objectives, led by a project coordinator
Workpackages feed into the programme of work,
possibly led by different institutions or partners
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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NDA COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
There is no prescriptive model
You pose the research questions and propose an
appropriate model
CRPs must cross the remit of at least two
Research Councils
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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EXAMPLE OF SOMNIA
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
http//www.somnia.surrey.ac.uk/
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Commissioning Panel Grading Criteria

• Academic/scientific merits
• Potential contribution to the NDA Programme
• User engagement
• Multi-disciplinarity and collaboration
• Value for money
• Practical or policy impact

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Successful Applications

• Reflect the ambitions of the NDA Programme
• Comprise high quality research, science and
  engineering
• Emphasis multi-disciplinarity, user engagement
  and innovation
• Demonstrate added value beyond responsive mode
• Are convincing with regard to policy/practice
  impact or product development
• Have impressed multi-disciplinary peer reviewers
  and CP members

Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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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, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
CONTACT INFORMATION
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW DYNAMICS OF AGEING
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR APPLICATIONS!
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007
Alan Walker, NDA Information Meeting, London, 23
July 2007