Evolution

The last decade has been a roller-coaster for ageing research in the UK. Well-judged initiatives by EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) , BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological sciences Research Council) and ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) in the late 1990s provided the basis for good progress and much optimism but these were abruptly curtailed by the poor advice and direction which followed a parliamentary enquiry in the early 2000s. This situation continued for well over five years, jeopardising the benefits of the earlier investment in research skills and the goodwill of those who were able to use the outcomes. SPARC, (Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity) which commenced in 2005 was a direct response; a vehicle for preserving and building the embryonic ageing research capacity which had been stimulated earlier.

The pioneering approach of EPSRC’s EQUAL (Extending quality of Life) Initiative fostered truly interdisciplinary working; collaboration with key agencies which work with, or deliver services and products to older people, and recognition that older people are experts on a par with researchers, not passive providers of information for research. The result was a new culture of ageing research. Considerable success followed from a series of projects concerned with the design and management of the built environment, inclusive design especially of consumer products, and technology-assisted rehabilitation, and with several having a specific focus on the needs of people with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments. In a very short period EQUAL projects influenced official standards, codes and regulations, and best practice in, for example, the design, health care and social care professions and in the transport, construction and manufacturing industries. The EQUAL culture and successes, enjoyed by many design, engineering, social science and medical researchers, and those they worked with, continues to fascinate and challenge many in the mainstream of ageing research.

In parallel, very different but equally important developments were taking place through projects supported by the BBSRC SAGE (Science of Ageing) and ERA (Experimental Research on Ageing) programmes. In various ways these were concerned with the biology of ageing from the level of the cell to the whole body, and generating findings which have fundamentally changed thinking about, for example, the way cells age, the immune system, the repair of tissue and the influence of diet. The lead biologists forged ahead. Their results were startling. Their enthusiasm infected the postdoctoral researchers and research students in their teams. In due course these researchers, along with their design and engineering colleagues, were to become new lecturers and research fellows; members of a new generation of academics and researchers involved with ageing. However, muddled thinking about what constitutes effective ageing research, and poor leadership, led to a major hiatus in support, and they were almost abandoned.

A Response

Encouraged by non-academic stakeholders in ageing, especially members of charities and practitioners in health, social and housing services and industry, all the relevant research councils were approached with a very modest proposal to maintain momentum and thus retain the interest and enthusiasm of both the emerging community of ageing researchers and that of their supporters. The scheme proposed to continue to organise national all-comers workshops on ageing research pioneered through EQUAL, to continue to advocate the value to older people of research to policy influencers and makers and, significantly, to offer pump-priming awards to newcomers to ageing research, predominately those in early career.

First EPSRC, and then BBSRC, supported the proposal. But despite the need for building research capacity in areas where there was a proven need, as well as a demand from stakeholders for more interaction with social science and medical researchers, ESRC and MRC were not interested. The funding requested of £1.3m was little more than a sizeable EPSRC consortium grant, a tenth of that of the NDA programme, currently the main vehicle for ageing research in the UK.

Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity

What was to become SPARC commenced in January 2005 but its intentions were well known from the previous Autumn through nationwide briefings about the awards scheme, and workshops and networks which had developed during the early years of EQUAL.

By May 2005 there had been over 80 proposals in response to the first call for proposals. After strict peer review, funding was found for 13 projects. The subsequent second call in mid 2006 attracted nearly 100 proposals. By drawing on some additional funding of £0.3m from BBSRC, which had been impressed with the quality of proposals, a further 21 projects were supported. Awards were typically from £25,000 to £40,000 and exceptionally £60,000, for one year to 18 months, added to which mentoring, editorial support, access to prestigious platforms and various international opportunities were available. All of this was provided with the object of fast-tracking the development of the award holders to a position where they could secure major grants.

Progress to date

As SPARC moves into its final phase so projects are being completed and final reports submitted. These will be thoroughly assessed, and importantly findings will be presented, publicised and promoted by SPARC to ensure that they get noticed by appropriate audiences. Although it was the intention to organise 18 national and 6 international workshops during its life, such has been the enthusiasm for SPARC that with more than a year left to run, 27 national and 6 international workshops have already been held. A few have been largely for older people’s communities and a few for the research community. However most have been inclusive, where researchers, professionals and older people have come together to hear about research findings and research challenges. Generally these participants have been inspired by the commitment and enthusiasm of the largely young researchers who present their work and are reminded of the realities of growing older by equally earnest older people and the professionals who work with them. Workshops move around the country, at the invitation of older people’s charities, professional bodies, industry and universities which act as co-sponsors and hosts. They reflect a principal tenet of SPARC, that effective ageing research is bottom-up and is rooted in end-user communities.

A third strand of activity is advocacy, making the case that older people are important and that ageing research can make a significant difference to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people. This involves lobbying ministers, MPs, civil servants and other policy makers and influencers about ageing research. Whilst progress is slow, SPARC is sufficiently established to receive requests from some government departments for feedback on specific issues, and enjoys very good relationships with MPs especially in the upper house. SPARC has initiated two questions in Parliament (about the Older Worker and Ageing Research), and, through its collaboration with the British Association of Occupational Therapists, has enjoyed the participation of HRH The Princess Royal in one of its workshops.

Reflections

Although SPARC has modest funding this has been no bar to it undertaking meaningful international leading-edge research, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in ageing. Whilst, only after it has been completed will it be possible to appraise the quality and value of the work it has supported, already there is growing evidence that findings, from what are after all very small projects, are being pursued and taken up by research users. Also, even at this stage it is possible to judge how far SPARC is building the capacity of ageing research by considering its impact on the careers of award holders. Of course these are very able individuals who would make progress anyway; but of the 25 award holders, some of whom are only 6 months into their projects, 21 have reported significant career benefits accruing from SPARC. Examples are gaining permanent contracts or promotion, securing major fellowships or awards, and appointment to significant government or professional committees. Yet, a few years ago their careers in ageing research had every prospect of coming to a halt. SPARC will end in 2008 and hopefully the award holders will use their experience as a launch pad for enduring and successful careers.

It would be good if during the four years that SPARC has been running the environment for ageing research has improved over that of the early 2000s. Probably this is the case for design, engineering and biology-based research, stimulated in part by SPARC’s presence in those areas. A better future looks less hopeful for early-career social science and medical science academics. Their interests have been sorely neglected. Added to this is a fear that because it has been supported by the research councils for over ten years, ageing research will suffer from the institutionalisation which shapes mature science. In the belief that the parameters of ageing research are understood even the EQUAL philosophy of listening intently to older people and those who support them in order to scope and shape programmes may be forgotten.

The best antidote to such fears is for all those who have an interest to challenge the prevailing wisdom about the current pace and place of ageing research. SPARC has shown what can been achieved with modest funding backed by enthusiasm and good will, and there is plenty of room for other challenges. Through this, ageing research and those who could benefit from it will go from strength to strength.

Websites

SPARC (Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity)- http://www.sparc.ac.uk/

EQUAL http://www.fp.rdg.ac.uk/equal/ (please note this site is no longer current but contains useful archive material)