Research
Help us conduct research that explores ageing from multiple academic perspectives and translates insights into practical solutions for older people’s everyday lives.
Doctoral scholarships
Each year, CCREATE-AGE awards two University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships to support PhD candidates undertaking co-created ageing research. Successful projects must:
- Span more than one discipline.
- Align with one or more CCREATE-AGE research themes.
- Address the self-identified needs and aspirations of older people, researchers, stakeholders, and funders.
These scholarships provide an exceptional opportunity to join a collaborative research environment, make a tangible impact, and shape the future of ageing research.
PhD candidates
A PhDs is an excellent opportunity to contribute to our research community, the broader society, and the individual students themselves, helping them further their careers.
Key aspects to consider when applying for a PhD scholarship at CoCreate Age include:
- Co-created research: actively involving older people.
- Transdisciplinary research: spanning more than one discipline and aligned to one or more of research themes.
- Research that embeds equity, diversity, or inclusion.
Introducing Melanie Stowell
Melanie Stowell is the first recipient of a CoCreate Age PhD scholarship.
Learn more about Melanie’s current research questions and topics of interest in her own words:
My research question: The aim of this PhD is to co-create a digital intervention to support older adults’ mental wellbeing and healthy coping behaviours in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research will seek to address the following questions:
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- What do older adults feel they need the most support with to promote mental wellbeing and healthy ways of coping?
- What are the enabling factors and barriers to older adults’ engagement with digital health tools?
- What are the key components of a person-centred and culturally appropriate digital intervention to support older adults with their mental wellbeing?
Why I applied: I’ve been working in health services research for nearly 8 years in the US, UK, and, more recently, New Zealand. For much of that time, my colleagues and mentors have encouraged me to look into pursuing a PhD. It had been on my mind for several years, but I was struggling to find the right opportunity and topic. I’ve always had a strong interest in mental health and ageing research, so I feel very fortunate to have met the CoCreate Age team at a time when I was preparing to apply to the University of Auckland. The stars aligned and I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.
What I’m appreciating now: I’ve just returned from a trip to visit my family in Colorado, and while saying goodbye was bittersweet, it’s so comforting to return to Auckland with the sense that I’m coming home. I’m excited to continue learning about and exploring New Zealand over the next few years, assuming there’s time for small breaks away from my studies!”
We welcome Melanie and new applicants to join the growing cohort of CoCreate Age PhD candidates, who will lead groundbreaking research to advance the future of ageing wellbeing.
Click here for more information. And please get in touch with us if you have any questions:
Email: ccreateage@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext. 88680