New UQ Centre increases understanding of senior issues

A new Centre for Human Ageing to be established at The University of Queensland will be a centre for excellence for research on all aspects of ageing research and policy development.

Jointly administered by the Faculties of Social and Behavioural Science and Health Sciences, the Centre will be funded by $200,000 a year for three years from the University and $50,000 a year from the Queensland Department of Families, Youth and Community Care.

According to Social and Behavioural Sciences Faculty Director of Research and School of Psychology Professor Michael Hogg, the Centre's research and policy development projects span all seven faculties.

"With an increasingly aged population, studies in this area are crucial to properly caring and planning for the lives of existing and future senior members of society," he said.

The School of Psychology's Associate Professor Glen Smith is the principal contact for the Centre which will also offer short courses on various aspects of ageing for community and professional groups.

Professor Hogg said the Centre's focus would be divided into four main areas: ageing and place; health and ageing; ageing and society; and ageing and the economy.

"Issues in the ageing and economy area include the effects of ageing on the workforce and age discrimination, while caring for the aged in rural and remote communities and housing and transport issues will subjects for research in the ageing and place category," he said.

"Health issues include the effects of ageing on memory, community care issues and dementia, while friendship networks, communication styles and the way the aged are regarded in indigenous communities will be part of the ageing and society focus."

Professor Hogg said the Faculty was also in the process of establishing a University-wide Centre for International and Community Development this year.

"This Centre will focus on the broad area of social development in rural and urban setting in Australia and internationally, and include a focus on sustainability, social and community well-being, conflict management and democratic participation, and cultural and indigenous heritage," he said.

For more information, contact Professor Michael Hogg (telephone 07 3365 6430).