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Laurie Buys joins ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ as Professor of Healthy Ageing

Gerontology expert Laurie Buys has been appointed as Professor of Healthy Ageing as ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ strengthens its commitment to deliver innovative research alongside a skilled workforce for the aged care sector.

ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ Vice Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis said Professor Buys will lead the university¡¯s commitment to healthy ageing through industry engagement, research, national and international collaborations, and service innovation.

¡°I am delighted to welcome Professor Buys to ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´,¡± Professor Skrbis said. ¡°She is a national leader in gerontology and will lead us in applying our distinctive research lens to the understanding of ageing.¡±

Professor Skrbis said promoting human dignity in all aspects of life sits at the heart of ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´¡¯s mission as a Catholic university.

¡°Our mission calls us to recognise human dignity as a fundamental imperative, where every person possesses an inherent worth that must be valued and respected. This is especially so in healthcare ¨C which encompasses ageing, longevity, senior services and aged care, along with intergenerational connectivity,¡± he said.

¡°We are committing our skills and knowledge to providing quality and innovative education and training to the healthcare professionals who will be involved in caring for older people.¡±

A former National President of the Australian Association of Gerontology, Professor Buys said she is passionate about challenging traditional assumptions associated with age and maximising meaningful engagement, participation, and well-being throughout our entire lives.

Her most recent research has focused on longevity and ways to deliver better social and economic outcomes for older people.

¡°I am excited to join ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ in this new role and will focus on building partnerships that deliver new approaches to conceptualising healthy ageing and supporting older people to age well,¡± Professor Buys said.

Professor Buys will work across the university¡¯s faculties and portfolios and directly with the Executive Dean Health of Sciences Professor Suzanne Chambers.

¡°As the country¡¯s largest educator of nurses, we welcome Professor Buys and the knowledge and expertise she brings to further support ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ in its contribution to healthy ageing in this country,¡± Professor Chambers said.