Introduction

The Network will be open to a wide range of researchers who share a positive commitment to ageing research and collegial approaches to collaborative research and research development. Core values include a willingness to share expertise and knowledge, openness to multiple disciplines and methods, and the useful application of research findings for social benefits. Researchers are defined as people who are actively conducting research as a member of staff at a University, a postgraduate research student, or a researcher working in a policy or service organisation.

There are four categories of Network Membership:

Participant Members

These are the original 50 researchers who were partners in the Network grant proposal. They are primarily senior researchers with a track record of research grants from the Australian Research Council and/or the National Health and Medical Research Council. The group also includes a small number of early-stage researchers who have been included to bring their perspective into the core network. Participant Members will lead Working Parties on proposal development and Special Interest Groups. They will also be asked to assume responsibilities for leadership, mentoring and capacity building within the Network.

The multidisciplinary team of Participant Members has an excellent track record of research and extensive collaboration within the team. They also have close working relationships with policymakers, gerontology associations, consumer organizations, peak industry bodies and overseas researchers. Disciplinary expertise includes architecture, economics, public health, geography, information science, medicine, policy and evaluation, psychology, social work, sociology, statistics, and urban planning. The methodological expertise embraces both theoretical and high level qualitative and quantitative analysis skills.

Associate Members

Associate Members are researchers and others who have an interest in the activities of the Network. Associate Members include a number of very experienced researchers as well as mid-career and early-stage researchers, postgraduate students and practitioners with an interest in ageing research. Associate Members will be kept informed of developments in the Network and be able to take part in many of the Network activities. If they have a strong interest in one of the theme areas or Special Interest Groups, they are encouraged to communicate this to the appropriate Convenor.

International Members

We are drawing on our extensive international connections to invite participation by outstanding overseas researchers who are interested in collaborating with Australian researchers and/or visiting Australia. We will also include leading researchers who are building ageing research programs in the Asia Oceania region.

Organisational Members

This category includes organisations who are the consumers of research. They are invited to register to be part of a mailing list of information as well as being available for advisory and consultative roles with interest groups.

In addition to the above categories of membership, information will be disseminated to individuals interested in ageing research through the newsletters of discipline, professional, industry, and community groups.