Capacity building and ageing researchers

1
Capacity building and ageing researchers

• Professor Helen Bartlett
• Australasian Centre on Ageing
• University of Queensland
• 25 September 2003
• National Symposium on Ageing Research

2
Does the current model of research training work?
3
Some current limitations

• Isolation
• Little contact with other researchers in ageing
• Supervisors in primary discipline lacking
  expertise in ageing
• Students level of foundation knowledge about
  ageing limited
• Potential impact of PhD on policy or practice not
  maximised
• No clear career track

4
Is there a future in ageing research post-PhD?
5
Knowledge of career/employment opportunities
6
Future directions students perceptions

• up in the air not sure
• Thats the big question! Something more
  practical than research something to do with
  community-wide promotion of PA programs
• Pipedreams - interested in working in a wellness
  centre
• I am a retired person and see myself engaged in
  some community and possibly academic work
  concerning older people
• To channel some of the knowledge back into
  educational services

7
What are the perceived opportunities and
directions?

• Research and teaching are most commonly perceived
  career options
• Not aware of clear career track
• Information about opportunities lacking
• Some potential in industry/government identified
• Desire a future in ageing, but not sure how to
  make it happen
• Enthusiasm and wanting to make a difference

8
What can we do now?

• Introduce mentoring schemes
• Develop skills in collaboration
• Broaden the research apprenticeship
• Improve links with industry and government
• Focus PhDs in priority areas
• Increase access to information
• Create structures for emerging researchers
• Start promoting ageing research earlier
• Find out more about the current cohort

9
What works?

• Centres university wide
• Multidisciplinary seminar groups with input from
  government/community
• Assistance with recruitment the 50 Registry
• Casual RA pool
• Conferences for emerging researchers ERA 2002,
  ERA 2003 Brisbane, 21 November