Abstract:

This paper reports Australian experiences on ways in which universities and and advocacy groups can bring the voices of older people to policy development. While government -initiated consultancies have more commonly informed policy development , collaborative research by academic and advocacy stakeholders potentially can effectively represent the less powerful and less visible interests of vulnerable older people. A review of Australian applied research experiences, including three case studies, illustrates the interests and capacities of the stakeholders in conducting and using applied research. The power of the funders, the timetables for and openess in the research process, and communication among the stakeholders are key influences on the body of knowledge available for policy development. Whoever sets the research questions in the funding process has the major influence on the eventual findings of studies. Recommendations are made to facilitate collaborative research, which is both meaningful and beneficial to older people.