Building capacity in ageing research: Implications from a survey of emerging researchers in Australia

Abstract

Objective: The National Emerging Researchers in Ageing Study (NERAS) set out to inform capacity‐building efforts in ageing research. Its purpose was to identify the interest, attitudes and motives of PhD students to enter the field and factors influencing intention to remain. Method: A web‐based survey was sent to 267 PhD students in ageing. It assessed attitudes towards older people and the importance of a variety of factors influencing students’ interest and decision to engage in ageing research. Results: The response rate was 60% (n = 161). Positive attitudes, interest in ageing issues and concern for older people were key motivating factors to work or study in the field. Supervisors in ageing and initial interest in the field were key predictors of intention to remain in the field. Conclusions: NERAS is the first national study of emerging researchers in ageing and it provides important new knowledge with implications for capacity‐building efforts.

‘I went in feeling like a student and came out feeling like a researcher’ An evaluation of the first Australian Masterclass for Emerging Researchers in Ageing

“…Ages ranged from 23 to 73 years, mean = 39.5, standard error (SE) = 2.6, and there were three men in the group. This demographic is consistent with findings reported in Bartlett et al [4] that PhD students in ageing are predominantly women and tend to be older than the average age of PhD students in fields other than ageing. At the conclusion of the Masterclass, delegates completed a general evaluation form, indicating what they liked best and least about the Masterclass.…”

“…The 2005 NERA project identified two key influences on retention of emerging researchers post‐PhD. These were opportunities to network with other emerging researchers in ageing and having access to senior academics and policy‐makers in the field [4]. The qualitative data suggest that the Masterclass went some way towards meeting both these needs.…”

“…Thus, in 2005 the National Emerging Researchers in Ageing Survey (NERAS) investigated key factors influencing students’ decisions to initially engage and subsequently stay in ageing research [4]. Of the 161 participating PhD students, 75% expressed a desire to remain in the field post‐PhD, but only 57% said they actually intended to do so.…”

“…Barriers to remaining in the field were identified, with 60% citing insufficient opportunities to meet and collaborate with other researchers in ageing. Needs were highlighted for greater access to other researchers and experts in the field of ageing research through conferences and workshops and access to up‐to‐date information about career opportunities [4].…”

Developing nursing research in the United Arab Emirates: a narrative review

“…Akerjordet et al (2012) undertook a descriptive survey (n = 364) of clinical nurses and identified low competency and limited capacity, associating this with the need for strong supervision or leadership. A further web-based survey by Bartlett (2007) of doctoral students working in ageing research (n = 161) also highlighted the importance of mentorship or supervision, but also linked this to motivation or interest in the topic area, as a means to sustain research capacity. Moreover, organizational contexts and the changing roles and expectations of nurses were highlighted by Segrott et al (2006) whilst an integrative review by Scala et al (2016) also underlined the importance of infrastructure and training.…”