Partner Spotlight: Curtin University

The Longevity Partner Spotlight series features regular Q&As with research and industry partners.

To launch the series we caught up with Professor Anne-Marie Hill, Director of The Curtin Ageing Research Network at Curtin University.

How does Curtin align with the Longevity vision?

Curtin have established a strong track record of working with industry, government and community groups to understand their needs and – through innovative research and development – to provide long-term benefit with one of Curtin’s key research strengths being health. The Faculty of Health Sciences is internationally recognised for its leadership in health research. We are engaged in developing practical solutions to the health challenges in our local and global communities.

The Curtin Ageing Research Network Executive (CARN) are leading the CRC engagement at Curtin. CARN is a unique collaboration across multiple health settings, whose purpose is to conduct and facilitate the translation of high-quality research that enhances and supports the well-being, capability and independence of older people. Our ultimate purpose is to improve the experience of ageing.

What excites you about being part of the collaboration?

At Curtin, we are very pleased to be bringing all our partners on board to work across a broad range of discipline areas to address societal needs and interests likely to benefit the whole WA community, and which have national and international impact. Our focus at Curtin is on demand driven research, actively working with our community and industry partners to solve real world problems and make a difference. We can harness the strength we have at Curtin though this major initiative and, through our diverse range of collaborations, to address the critical and meaningful issues that are, and will be, experienced by all Australians as we manage our health and wellness into the future. We are confident that the projects co-designed with the community will impact on Australia’s ability to grow as a nation.

What results do you hope to see out of the collaboration?

We plan for our research to have maximum impact across the WA community – and beyond. Older Australians, through the skills and attributes that allow them to contribute in highly productive and meaningful ways to WA and Australia, are critical as mentors of future generations. Their views, experiences and skills, coupled with the knowledge and experience of our teams, will help create solutions to build more meaningful, healthy and connected lives. Through enhancing and building on this social capital, we aim to foster improved health, fitness, learning, housing, and economic well-being, among many other areas. We are aiming to increase older peoples’ participation in fitness and leisure pursuits, in working in new industries, in joining and connecting through new social communities, and in providing and benefiting from intergenerational projects and learning. Each of these projects underpin our commitment to a societal shift in attitudes and action within our communities.