Over 80 academics, students, and representatives from government and industry took part in the Forum for Research on Ageing and Longevity hosted by ANU on 24 April

International and ANU researchers surveyed the state of ageing research in fields as diverse as history, demography, epidemiology, economics, biology, genetics and technology.

Sponsored by the ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well, the aim of the forum was to bring together researchers from across the ANU to network, discuss current issues in ageing research and to consider research priorities to address Australia’s population ageing.

The Director of the Well-being Institute in Cambridge opened the first session with a discussion on the determinants of positive ageing. Professor Felicia Huppert spoke about the value of a life course perspective and the potential for universal interventions at various stages in the life course to improve well-being in later life were discussed.

Another visiting expert, Professor David Melzer from the Peninsula Medical School at the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, discussed genetic factors that play a role in the development of age related physical impairments and common diseases.

Other speakers covered the history of ageing in Australia; the demographic issues of population ageing and increasing longevity; the economic impact and challenges of population ageing, and human evolution and the biology of ageing.

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