CEPAR has been awarded $27.25 million dollars in national competitive research funding to continue its research into one of Australia’s most pressing issues – our ageing population.
CEPAR has been awarded $27.25 million dollars in national competitive research funding to continue its research into one of Australia’s most pressing issues – our ageing population.
The Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, announced today the Australian Research Council funding, which will enable CEPAR to continue and expand its research reach on the economic and social challenges of population ageing over the next seven years.
“Population ageing is an issue of paramount importance to all; this is truly the ageing century”, said Centre Director Professor John Piggott. “The research we will continue to undertake has the potential to transform Australia’s future. It supports a vision of Australia where economic growth is robust, the mature labour market is buoyant, health and social services are effectively and sustainably delivered, cognitive ageing is slowed as a result of meaningful work and social participation, outcomes for women in the workplace and in retirement are improved, and individuals are guided in decision making and financial risk management.”
Based at UNSW Australia, CEPAR was the first social science centre to receive Centre of Excellence funding, in 2011. It remains the only Centre of Excellence to be hosted by a Business School.
The centre is a collaboration involving UNSW Australia, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, the University of Western Australia, the University of Manchester, the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School. Industry and government partners also providing support include the major Commonwealth policy departments, large corporates, and the NSW Government. CEPAR also has strong support and engagement with the World Bank, OECD and COTA. Together, this powerful coalition will contribute over $40 million in additional cash and in-kind support over the life of the centre.
Unique in its multidisciplinary approach, the Centre draws on expertise in actuarial studies, demography, economics, epidemiology, organisational behaviour, psychology and sociology.
CEPAR will work closely with its partners to deliver a highly innovative research program which seeks to address the most critical knowledge gaps identified by government, industry and community groups.
“Government, community groups and business recognise the importance of the issue and the urgent need for research to inform future planning, and product and policy development,” said Marc de Cure, Chair of CEPAR’s Advisory Board, who was integral in securing the support of government and industry partners for the next 7 years.
“These partnerships provide valuable and direct avenues for informing the research agenda, and research translation and dissemination. Our proven engagement model will ensure the Centre delivers significant impact,” he said.
Professor Piggott said, “CEPAR’s research programs are assembled into four interconnected streams, that cover demographic modelling; decision making, expectations and cognitive ageing; work design and successful ageing in the workforce; and sustainable wellbeing in later life. The latter including not only physical but financial wellbeing as well.”
A number of prestigious international research institutions will also work closely with CEPAR, reflecting the importance of the issue internationally and Australia’s growing reputation as a world leader in policy and practice innovation in this area.
For more information please contact: Annabella McHugh on 02 9931 9202