Research Groups

Australian and New Zealand Research Groups

Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC)
La Trobe University
The ACEBAC are passionate advocates of person-centred, evidence-based care of older people. Their research has a focus on translating evidence into the real world and making a quality difference for older people, families and staff.
Centre for Research Excellence in Patient Safety (CRE-PS)
Monash University
The CRE-PS was established to design, conduct, promote and promulgate high-quality multi-centre research to improve the quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health care for Australians. Their work focuses on four main areas:
- Using data to monitor quality of care
- Improving information transfer
- Reducing medication error
- Patient Safety
Monash Accident Research Centre (MUARC)
Monash University
MUARC is a world leader in injury prevention and disaster resilience research. Their research, consultancy, training and scientific expertise include safety in all modes of transport in the workplace, in the community and in the home.
Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre (FBIRC)
Neuroscience Research Australia and the University of New South Wales
The FBIRC conducts research into understanding human balance, fall risk factors and strategies for prevention of falls in older people. The overarching aims involve:
1. Accurate documentation of falls and fall injuries
2. Identification of falls risk factors
3. Development of feasible fall prevention strategies
4. Effective management of people with a fall related injury
National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)
NARI is a national, independent medical research institute that makes a measurable difference to the lives of older people and those who care for them by improving their quality of life and health. Their research focuses on seven key areas:
- Falls and balance
- Pain
- Dementia
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Ageing
- Psychosocial and mental health
- Health systems evaluation
The Joanna Briggs Institute
University of Adelaide
JBI is concerned with improving health outcomes in communities globally by promoting and supporting the use of the best available evidence to inform decisions made at the point of care. They also offer a range of evidence-based practice tools and resources such as systematic review and clinical audit tools, evidence-based point of care resources and offer varied educational programs.
Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) Injury Studies
Flinders University
FHMRI Injury Studies contributes to understanding the nature, causes and effects of human injury and to reducing its occurrence and consequences. They undertake research, surveillance, analysis, consultation, teaching, as well as dissemination of information on injury control and related matters to public health and other practitoners, academics, government and the community.
Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit (QISU)
QISU collects Level 2 injury surveillance data from participating hospital emergency departments across Queensland and produces bi-monthly bulletins that analyses data according to specific injury topics and sets that data in the context of relevant local, nation and international research and policy.
Institute for Musculoskeletal Health (IHM)
University of Sydney, Syndey Local Health District
The IHM brings together musculoskeletal healthcare researchers and clinicians who have direct contact with patients in the health system. Their vision is to optimise musculoskeletal health and physical activity through high quality, patient-centred collaborative research. Their research themes are:
• Surgery
• Healthy Ageing
• Intervention Testing
• Children and Adolescents
• Disability
• Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)
Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR)
The ANZHFR is a clinical registry that collects data on the care provided, and the outcomes of care, to older people in Australia and New Zealand, admitted to hospital with a fracture of the proximal femur. The registry is a collaborative project between several professional societies and is one of a number of complementary initiatives designed to improve hip fracture care bi-nationally.
The Neurology, Ageing and Balance Research Group
The University of Queensland
The focus of the research team is to investigate changes in impairments, activities and participation, particularly relating to balance and gait, that occur with age, pathology or that are acquired through injury. Client-centred focus areas of the team include older adults (healthy, fallers); people with neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis; and adults with musculoskeletal disorders such as hip osteoarthritis or neck pain.
Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre
Monash University
The Monash Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre will transform approaches to health, aged care, disability and support service delivery. Through research and partnerships, they will deliver community impact by creating efficient support models, capable of serving people with complex health conditions, and improving how people live with greater independence and quality of life across the lifespan. Their Ageing research stream focuses on:
- Health promotion and prevention
- Aged friendly design and environments
- Mental and physical health and wellbeing
- Falls and injury prevention.
LiLACS NZ Research Programme
The University of Auckland
Life and Living in Advanced Age, a Cohort Study in New Zealand, otherwise known as LiLACS NZ, is a longitudinal cohort study of New Zealanders living in advanced age. It aims to determine the predictors of successful advanced ageing and understand the trajectories of health and wellbeing in advanced age in a Māori and non-Māori New Zealand population.
Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR)
University of Otago
The Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHARR) is the research centre for the School of Physiotherapy at Otago. Research areas include:
- Physical Activity and Health
- Healthy Ageing
- Sports Concussion and Injury Prevention
- Clinical Biomechanics and Medical Technologies
Collaboration of Ageing Research Excellence (CARE)
University of Otago
CARE conducts research in gerontology—the study of ageing in all its aspects. Gerontology is becoming increasingly important in developed countries, including New Zealand, because of our ageing populations. The CARE network concentrates on three areas of research strength:
- Physical health
- Brain health
- Social and policy development
Rehabilitation Innovation Centre
Auckland University of Technology
The Rehabilitation Innovation Centre comprises a multi-disciplinary team of physiotherapists, bioengineers, and computational neuroscientists. Research is embedded in clinical practice and focuses on the development and implementation of innovative health technologies, measurement tools, and interventions to improve health outcomes for people with neuropathology across their life span.

International Research Groups

Injury Prevention and Mobility Laboratory (PML) and Technology for Injury Prevention in Seniors (TIPS)
Simon Fraser University (Canada)
TIPS is a unique university-community partnership for developing new technologies to prevent falls and fall-related injuries in older adults. TIPS uses innovative approaches (such as video capture and wearable sensors) to determine the causes and circumstances of falls of older adults. We also develop and test the effectiveness of engineering interventions such as protective clothing and compliant flooring in reducing fall-related injuries.
Centre for Hip Health and Mobility
University of British Columbia (Canada)
The Centre for Hip Health and Mobility (CHHM) is focused on developing novel strategies that promote physically active choices that positively influence mobility.