ARC/NHMRC Ageing Well Network

Ageing is one of the most significant changes facing Australia. It is essential that Australia embraces the opportunities as well as meets the challenges of ageing.

Funded by the ARC and the NHMRC the Research Network in Ageing Well aims to increase the scale, focus, and capacity of Australian research to inform national efforts to respond constructively to an ageing society.

The ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well sits squarely in the National Research Priority area 'Ageing Well, Ageing Productively'.

Sue Richardson is a member of the Network’s Management Committee and convenes the Productivity and Economic Security (PES) theme, one of the networks four key theme areas. Anna Lane serves as the theme’s project officer.

The theme is primarily concerned with issues relating to labour markets for older workers, employment and the macro economy, retirement planning, income support, and asset management. A record of the themes activities to date and planned future activities can be found in the Network’s annual reports, located on the networks website, www.ageingwell.edu.au.

The Network began its operations in 2005, and under the conditions of its 5-year grant, will conclude operations in December 2009.

Recent Activities

The Theme will hold a special panel discussion session on workforce ageing at the 36th Annual Conference of Economists (ACE07), Hobart, Tasmania on 24-26 September 2007, http://www.cdesign.com.au/ace07/

Ageing Workforce: What are the big questions? A Panel Discussion

Sue Richardson, National Institute of Labour Studies, Flinders University of South Australia

Bob Gregory, Economics Program, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University.

Garry Barrett, Australian School of Business, University of New South Wales.

Lisa Magnani, Australian School of Business, University of New South Wales.

Martin O'Brien, School of Economics and Information Systems, University of Wollongong.

Bruce Felmingham, School of Economics and Finance, University of Tasmania.

Each of the panel will speak on what they think the pressing and researchable questions are regarding the aging workforce that economists should focus on.  The panel, with contributions from the floor, will attempt to come to an agreement as what are the three most pressing and researchable questions and how to approach them.

Call for Workshop and New Collaboration proposals - issued by Prof Sue Richardson, PES Theme Convenor, on 31 July 2007. Network Participants are invited to apply for funding for a Network supported Research Workshop (maximum of $5,000) or a New Collaboration grant (maximum of $20,000). Details of these two funding programs along with a list of possible research topics can be downloaded from the Network website http://www.ageingwell.edu.au/links_resources.htm