About the Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies
BIAS as a Collaborative Research Network
BIAS was developed as a Collaborative Research Network (CRN) in 2007 as part of a university initiative to encourage cross-disciplinary research activity. BIAS is one of four University CRNs which seek to address a great number of complex challenges of the future.
The networks bring together teams of experts from across the university in order to:
- Foster interdisciplinary research of the highest quality
- Spearhead new responses to major research questions
- Increase the social, cultural and economic impact of research
- Actively pursue partnerships and collaborations with universities, businesses and public sector organisations who share their goals.
The Collaborative Research Network in Ageing was formed in response to challenges raised by a growing population, including concern for how current health and social systems will cope with an increase in the number of people over the age of 60. BIAS aims to lead in the development and definition of strategic directions for research in the field of gerontology. It seeks to address the information needs of policy makers and the private sector, and to facilitate the transfer of new knowledge for the benefit of the whole population.
Read more about the Collaborative Research Networks at Brunel University
BIAS Mission
BIAS aims to:
-- Lead in the development and definition of strategic directions for research in the field of gerontology.
-- Develop and support scientifically sound research programmes and initatives on:
-- Biological aspects of ageing
-- Promotion of healthy ageing
-- Health policies and social care services for older people
-- Social, psychological, cultural and environmental factors impacting on the health and life quality of older people
-- Transport and housing needs of older people
-- Health and social care needs of older people
-- Treatment and rehabiliation for age related diseases and disabilities
-- Care and support when treatments no longer cure
-- Legal and ethical issues at the end of life
-- Building research capacity in the field of ageing amongst biologists, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and others working in health and social care.
-- Foster the dissemination, transfer and translation of findings in gerontology into health and social policy.
-- Improve services and interventions for older people.
BIAS Strategic Goals and Objectives
- Development and support of research capacity building in the field of gerontology
- Develop and support research projects, programmes and initiatives on ageing
- Facilitate the dissemination and transfer of knowledge from research into policies and services for older people
- Promote the importance of research on ageing and older people and the needs of the research community in gerontology
Beneficiaries of BIAS Activities
- Health and social care organisations
- Public and private sector policy makers
- The business community
- Local authorities
- Researchers and trainee researchers
- Universities and higher education institutions
- And most importantly...older adults
Strategy and Action Plan
The BIAS Strategy and Action Plan further details our mission, vision and values and outlines several priority research domains. The report includes our strategic goals and main objectives and sets out an action plan detailing output indicators and the actions we feel are necessary for establishing BIAS as one of the lead gerontology research centres in the UK.
This is an evolving document that will be updated as the research interests of our members changes. The plan is currently being revised.
