Ageing research

Motivating ageing research in the UK

The challenge

Despite the significance that the rapidly ageing population has on society, there is a modest involvement by the organisations that fund research (for example government research councils and universities) in unravelling the fundamentals of the ageing process and improving quality of later life.

A ‘chicken and egg’ problem exists. On the one hand, as there is little funding, the area is unattractive to many leading scientists; and on the other hand, as the research community is small, there is little demand for funding. As a result, successive government select committee reports have criticised both the levels of funding and the lack of leadership from within the research community.

In 1996, Sir John Cadogan, who then was the Government Chief Scientist, called together representatives of the research councils and the scientific community to spur them into initiating and supporting more ageing-related research.

The response was patchy and eventually drew criticism in a House of Commons report in 2000, although by then the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) had made considerable headway with its Extending Quality of Life (EQUAL) initiative.

Unlike other programmes, EQUAL had been shaped by advice from older and disabled people and those who represented them as well as by established experts in the area. That advice led to a portfolio of projects which became increasingly diverse.

Three key characteristics, though, joined them together: all of the projects were multidisciplinary, for example engineers working with psychologists; all were collaborative, for example involving social services, health or housing professionals; and all accepted the older person as an expert in growing older, whose input was to be valued as much as that of the researchers.

Keeping close to older people and practitioners in the field was felt to be so important that soon a series of workshops on the latest developments in ageing research, not just research funded by EQUAL, was started. These were held up and down the country, all stakeholders were invited and there was no charge for attending.

They proved to be extremely successful and popular with both the scientists who presented their work, and with audiences which appreciated the opportunity to hear about the latest research from the scientists and their teams. Coupled with this was a move towards lobbying of policy makers about the importance of research to improving the quality of life of older people.

In 2001 the research councils were directed to work more closely together in the ageing area, leading to a long-drawn-out search for an effective way to collaborate. In the meantime young researchers who had developed through the EQUAL initiative, and parallel single discipline programmes run by the other research councils, found that the development of their careers in the field of ageing had been placed on hold whilst the research councils pondered what to do in the future.

Concerns

So by 2002 there was grave concern about the impact that the loss of momentum was having on the interest and talent which could make such a difference to ageing research and, potentially, to the lives of many older people. This concern, coupled with a belief in the value of keeping researchers as close as possible to the realities of ageing, as expressed by older people and those who work with and for them, led to a series of lobbying activities to ensure that the interest of the new-comers to ageing research would be maintained.

Even with the backing of Lord Sainsbury, who was at this point the Minister for Innovation, the campaign was not straightforward, but EPSRC had always been a supporter and eventually the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) became enthused.

Together these research councils provided £1.6m for a new initiative known as the Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity (SPARC). This started in 2005 with the express purpose of supporting newcomers through the provision of small pump-priming awards and lots of others forms of support, as well as continuing with the workshops and advocacy activities started by EQUAL and extending them to cover the interests and communities served by BBSRC.

Four years of activity

After four years, this latest venture is drawing to a conclusion. SPARC has supported 22 early-career scientists, by fast-tracking their development as researchers in the world of research, and hopefully capturing a life-long commitment to contributing to the quality of life of older people.

It has also brought 12 very experienced researchers from other fields into the field. The projects supported address a range of design, engineering, technology and biological subjects, often working hand-in-hand with community groups and service providers.

They range from the design of furniture for people with dementia to stem cell research, with particular attention being given to transport, mobility, nutrition and the older worker. All SPARC projects have included a focus on improving quality of life, health and wellbeing, and all have been undertaken with minimal resources but much enthusiasm and support.

Working to the belief that older people and professionals in the field have as much right as scientists to hear about the latest developments in research, SPARC has held 46 workshops up and down the country for all stakeholders interested in ageing.

This has enabled researchers to interact directly with older people and those who work with and for them, and to learn about the priorities and perspectives of these different audiences. Coupled with these hugely popular workshops, lobbying of policy makers about the importance of older people to society and the value of scientific research has continued.

Despite many rebuffs, SPARC has initiated parliamentary questions, given evidence to government inquiries, and has developed a rapport with many in the national and devolved governments. At the same time it has kept its feet on the ground with briefings for firms, clubs, societies and community groups.

Has SPARC been successful?

Of the 34 award holders supported by SPARC, nearly all have secured follow-on support, nearly 40% as lead investigators or the equivalent, and over a half are now involved with several projects in the field. Certainly they have been fast-tracked into a highly competitive area of research. Membership of the SPARC network has grown to nearly 2000 individuals of which over 60% are non-academic professionals and older people.

SPARC is now finishing, so what next?

How can we maintain momentum and ensure continuation of the important work which has been championed by SPARC?

Well, there is still hope — KT-EQUAL is a four-year initiative starting in January 2009, which is very determined to promote the value of knowledge transfer (KT) to policy makers and practitioners in government, industry, and health, social and housing services.

Funded wholly by EPSRC, this will draw on a series of major projects supported over the last 12 years to ensure that older people receive their fair share of the benefits of UK research and development.

Professor Peter Lansley, Director, SPARC, Reading University, UK

Dr Lucy Chappell, Publicity Officer, SPARC, Reading University, UK

More information

For more information on the projects, workshops, and other activities of SPARC please see www.sparc.ac.uk