Gerontology expert Laurie Buys PhD has been appointed as Professor of Healthy Ageing in the Faculty of Health Sciences as ACU strengthens its commitment to delivering innovative research alongside a skilled workforce for the aged care sector.
Prof Buys was previously the Director of the Healthy Ageing Initiative at the University of Queensland, and will remain associated with the university as an Honorary Professor.
ACU 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 ACU,” 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 ACU’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 – which encompasses ageing, longevity, senior services and aged care, along with intergenerational connectivity,” he said.
“We are committing our skills and knowledge to provide 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 ACU 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 of 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 ACU in its contribution to healthy ageing in this country,” Professor Chambers said.
Prof Laurie Buys has been a judge of Inside Ageing’s Future of Ageing Awards since its inception.
