The Programme was established by five UK research councils who had recognised that for too long ageing, which is a holistic experience, had been studied in separate disciplinary boxes. The research councils banded together in recognition of the fact that ageing is one of the great challenges we face and they wanted to ensure that there was a good flow of research evidence to support new policies, practices and products.

There was a pooled sum of money, and the disciplinary communities were invited to make bids – the most interesting aspect of the Programme was that most of the money was spent on inter-disciplinary projects.

It can be difficult to move the world of science, and funding is one way to do that, so the scientific communities were encouraged to collaborate by applying for funding as multi-disciplinary groups. It’s one of the main reasons why the Programme was unique, and I think so exciting.

This research initiative is ended. Its website was http://www.newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/