World-class Research - Keele University
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Active Ageing

Advancing our knowledge of ageing

Keele’s innovative and world-leading research is advancing our knowledge of the social, physical and health aspects of ageing.

We are building on our international reputation for outstanding research through a range of research groups and institutes devoted to the study of the ageing process.

The Centre for Social Gerontology:

Since it was established in 1987, the Centre has developed an international reputation for research and teaching in the field of ageing. Framed within a 'Critical Gerontology' perspective, we specialise in work relevant to public policy concerns. We receive support from various Research Councils and other Governmental and non-governmental funding bodies.

Our inter and multi-disciplinary research focuses on a number of key areas including:

  • family and kinship
  • women and ageing
  • social inclusion and exclusion
  • inter-generational relations
  • the social policy of later life.

We have received substantial funding for projects in the cross-council New Dynamics of Ageing Research Programme. We have strong international links with major research centres in the field of ageing in Europe and North America.

The Research Institute for Primary Care and Health Care Sciences Research:

An award-winning international research programme for musculoskeletal conditions - particularly back-pain and osteoarthritis .

  • Awarded the status of Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) National Primary Care Centre of Excellence in 2008.
  • Selected by the NIHR as one of only 8 Primary Care research groups to form the National School of Primary Care Research.
  • Winner of the Queen's Anniversary Award for Innovation 2009.
  •  Care Centre in 2008. 

Our work aims to prevent musculoskeletal conditions from starting, getting worse or causing long-term invalidity in later life.

A multidisciplinary team has pioneered research into early interventions and treatments delivered within primary care and community services. These can help patients lower the severity of pain and reduce its effect on daily living.

We are supported by:

  • £27 million research funding from the NIHR, ARC, MRC and the Wellcome Trust.
  • International collaborations with research groups in Seattle, Boston and the Netherlands, Norway, Canada and Australia.

The Centre's work is underpinned by a large framework of research health centres across our region. Our research influences the development of international and national guidelines for the treatment of chronic pain and has contributed to shaping government strategy on musculoskeletal care.

The Research Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine:

Research in Keele's world-class biomedical laboratories is enhancing our understanding of how the brain and body age in health and disease.

  • A European Centre of Excellence in Tissue Engineering.
  • Focus is on growing natural replacement human tissues to solve the most common orthopaedic problems associated with ageing such as worn knees and hips.
  • Research teams are exploring the use of stem cell-based regeneration to treat age-related neurodegenerative diseases and hearing loss.
  • New research on imaging the human body and the use of nanoparticles for targeted delivery of drugs is allowing further advances in the diagnosis and treatment of age-related medical problems. 

The Research Group on Health, Well-being and Rehabilitation

This research group brings together colleagues from the Schools of:

  • Health and Rehabilitation.
  • Nursing and Midwifery.
  • Psychology.

Projects include:

  • Rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions for stroke.
  • Recovery of upper limb function after stroke.
  • Psychosocial effects of long-term conditions.
  • Inter-professional care for older people.
  • Loss, bereavement and palliative care.

We maintain a health and rehabilitation focus, particularly in relation to physical, psycho-social, emotional and spiritual needs of patients, carers and families across the lifespan.

The involvement of users and carers across the research continuum is a major theme of the group's work.

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