Faculty training in aging research

With National Institute on Aging (NIA) support we have designed, implemented, and evaluated an advanced training program in research methodology for psychology faculty from four-year colleges. The goal of the program is to build and sustain a community of college teachers committed to conducting aging research, incorporating methodological developments in psychology courses, and engaging undergraduate students in their research. Program design includes an initial two-week summer institute, ongoing consultation during the academic year, and two follow-up meetings. To date, 58 psychology teachers have participated in the program. They have given consistently high ratings to the program as a whole and have cited four specific outcomes: (1) improved knowledge of research methodology; (2) increased interest in conducting aging research; (3) expanded networking relationships; and (4) strengthened undergraduate programs. Of the 17 participants who have now submitted their grant applications to NIA, ten have been funded, and an additional four have been invited to resubmit their applications after addressing reviewers' concerns. The remaining participants are currently developing their grant applications. In addition, almost all of the participants have incorporated recent methodological developments in their courses and have included their students as active participants in aging research.