Strategic Plan 2016-2019

Our VisionTo be recognised and sought after as the national leader in translational ageing research in Australia.

Our MissionTo improve the health and wellbeing of older people through research and research translation into policy and practice.

Our WorkNARI conducts research into the major health issues that affect older people, and uses this research to shape health promotion, service provision and policy development concerning older people, recognising that Australia’s older population is very diverse.

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)

NARI is a national leader in ageing research, producing work of international significance to apply to real lives, particularly in falls and balance, pain, dementia, physical activity, healthy ageing, psychosocial and mental health, and health systems evaluation.

NARI is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, and governed by a board comprising prominent health service, academic and corporate directors. NARI’s funding is obtained through competitive tendering, peer reviewed grants, philanthropic grants, consultancy and contracted research.

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is the largest independent medical research institute in Australia focussed exclusively on ageing. NARI was established in 1975 by the University of Melbourne and the then Mount Royal Hospital (now Melbourne Health) to undertake translational and biomedical research to inform aged care practice.

“Our research is cutting edge and provides new ideas

and evidence for practice and service development”

What does NARI do?

• NARI specialises in translational research, implementing research findings so that they have direct impact for older adults, aged care services, clinical practice and government policy.

• NARI aims to promote healthy ageing across the life course, from understanding and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours early in life through to maximising quality of life at end of life.

• NARI’s researchers have specific expertise in dementia, pain management, falls prevention, mental health, elder abuse, technology, quality of service delivery and aged care environments and issues affecting older Indigenous, cultural and linguistic diverse, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Australians.

• All of NARI’s research and professional development is interdisciplinary.

• NARI works in partnership with older people, academic organisations, service providers, governments and consumer advocacy bodies to develop evidence that will influence policy and service delivery.

NARI affiliations

• Melbourne Health

• University of Melbourne

What does NARI do?

Scope

THE GOALS OF THE INSTITUTE ARE

1. Ensure ongoing sustainability and growth in order to achieve our mission of improving the health and wellbeing of older Australians.

2. To improve the lives of older people through conducting excellent research and translating research findings into action by individuals, health and aged care service providers and governments.

3. To develop, nurture and encourage a strong, vibrant and diverse interdisciplinary research workforce in ageing.

Guiding values

• Integrity: We undertake research with the highest ethical standard.

• Excellence: We strive for excellence in our research, teaching, supervision and professional development.

• Innovation: Our research is cutting edge and provides new ideas and evidence for practice and service development.

• Responsive and Accessible: We value two-way knowledge exchange with older people, industry, workforce, education sector and the community.

• Diversity: We respect people in their diversity.

• Engagement: We value the knowledge and experience of older people in guiding our research.

4. To partner with peak consumer bodies, health and aged care services to identify, conduct and translate into practice research that is of benefit to them and their clients.

5. To advance and widely disseminate knowledge on key ageing topics and issues through the provision and promotion of high quality education and professional development.

6. To build and strengthen capacity in ageing research through partnership and collaborations with other organisations.

7. To be strong advocates with major policy influence for health, wellbeing and appreciation of older people.

“We respect people in their diversity”

1. Grow research and infrastructure funding to ensure continued growth and productivity.

2. Increase promotion and expand marketing of NARI and its initiatives.

3. Ensure NARI’s reputation for excellence in research and research translation is maintained.

4. Ensure effective governance, include a mature consideration of structural options.

5. Explore options for commercialisation of research outputs.

1. Build and expand existing reputation and expertise in translational research.

2. Build evidence by conducting and synthesising research into health and ageing including dementia, falls, pain, health promotion, cognitive issues, mental health, elder abuse, care relationships, and quality service delivery as they affect the diversity of older people.

3. Continue to build and expand an ageing research agenda to include emerging areas of research related to ageing which are of strategic importance and respond to contemporary issues. Specifically to:

a. Formulate cutting edge research based on expert analysis of gaps in research.

b. Identify and promote action research and implementation studies.

4. Continue existing and build new partnerships with international researchers to expand our research program and translational reach.

Ensure the ongoing sustainability of NARI in order to achieve our mission of improving health and wellbeing of older Australians.

Strategic priorities

1 Improve the lives of older people through research and research translation.

2

Develop, nurture and encourage a strong, vibrant and diverse research workforce in ageing.

3 41. Retain existing talented researchers and increase the

number of researchers at NARI.

2. Improve job security/career pathways.

3. Maintain and build the interdisciplinary nature of NARI’s research.

4. Contribute to education and professional development of students at all levels across a range of disciplines.

5. Facilitate pathways for people working in ageing or the aged care sector to develop research skills and capacity.

6. Explore options for purpose built facility/more attractive premises for NARI.

1. Further strengthen and develop Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration.

2. Develop other MARC-type initiatives as leader or partner.

a. MARC, Aged Care, CALD, RMIT social support stream and Elder abuse.

3. Further strengthen relationship with Melbourne Health.

Partner with peak consumer bodies, health and aged care services to identify, conduct and translate into practice research that is of benefit to them and their clients.

1. Deliver cost effective and high quality education and professional learning programs.

2. Maintain strong links with the health and aged care sector.

3. Ensure sustainability of education and professional development programs.

1. Enhance research capacity in ageing through engagement, strategic partnerships and collaborations with relevant state, national and international research, health, education, government, industry and community organisations. Specifically:

a. Strengthen alliances and collaborations within the research, health and aged care sectors.

b. Develop and expand partnerships with universities, educational institutions and providers of health and aged care, for example, Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, the University of Melbourne’s Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative.

Advance and widely disseminate knowledge on key ageing topics and issues through the provision and promotion of high quality education.

5 Build and strengthen capacity in ageing research through partnership and collaborations with other organisations.

6

To be strong advocates with major policy influence.7

1. Foster strategic associations that strengthen NARI’s capacity to advocate and influence policy aimed at achieving the best future for older Australians.

2. Promote a broader understanding of ageing in society, including disseminating healthy ageing messages.

3. Promote the value of research into ageing for individuals and society.

There are many ways that individuals and companies can support NARI including:

Whatever you choose to do will make a difference.

How you can help

VOLUNTEERDONATE FUNDRAISE CAMPAIGN

35 – 54 Poplar Road (via Gate 4) Parkville, Victoria, 3052

Tel: 61 3 8387 2305 Email: reception@nari.unimelb.edu.au Web: www.nari.net.au

ABN: 71 154 866 047

Affiliated with the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health

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