22/09/2006

Queen's launch Research Programme on Ageing

The Institute of Governance at Queen's University has today unveiled a major new research programme on ageing - designed to inform older people of policies and services.

The Research Programme on Ageing will commission up to five projects a year over the next four years, while another three longer-term research projects, two of which will focus on fear of crime amongst older people and their economic rights, will also begin this autumn.

Each project has been commissioned for £10,000 and the programme envisages these funds levering additional resources for further research to support policy development for older people. The projects commissioned for 2006-07 include: Medication Regimes in Nursing Homes, Young People’s Perceptions of Age, Happiness and Smart Housing.

Two more three-year research topics will be selected in 2007.

Announcing the projects, Professor Sally Wheeler, Director of the Institute of Governance at Queen’s said: “I am delighted we have been able to bring the knowledge and skill of so many different disciplines to bear on developing new ground for older people. Our researchers come from the Schools of Sociology, Social Policy and Social work; Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering; Pharmacy and the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy.”

She continued: “The Research Programme on Ageing is one element of an integrated project on ageing that brings together academics and practitioners in work to bring about improvements in the lives of older adults, transform how ageing is viewed within society and improve the way older persons are treated by society.”

The Changing Ageing Partnership (CAP), involves The Institute of Governance at Queen’s, Age Concern, Help the Aged and the Worker’s Educational Association.

Queen’s contribution is focussed on providing a robust evidence base for the development and implementation of priorities for advocacy by, and on behalf of, disadvantaged and vulnerable older people.

Welcoming the first research projects to get off the ground, Ken Logue, Programme Executive with research funders, The Atlantic Philanthropies said: “Atlantic Philanthropies are very pleased to see this launch. We are committed to doing what we can through our grants programme to improve the lives of older people. We feel that improving the age sector’s ability and capacity to advocate on behalf of vulnerable and disadvantaged older people is very important.

“Having robust evidence on which to base that advocacy is critical. This launch and the other research work the Institute is doing will all help develop that base. I congratulate the Institute of Governance at Queen’s on the projects, wish the researchers good fortune in their travails and look forward to the fruits of the research.”

(EF/KMcA)

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