ABSTRACT
Established in 2014, the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC) was designed to close evidence-to-practice gaps in care of older people by bringing together consumers, clinicians, policymakers, advocates and researchers in a co-designed program of work. MARC’s collaborative model combines bottom-up co-design with top-down systems influences, engaging the diverse membership as active partners in research. MARC has convened cross-sector events, undertaken targeted research, embedded co-production and invested in capacity building through grants, forums and masterclasses. Examples of policy and practice impacts include evaluation of the use of language translation technologies, enabling equitable access to end-of-life care services, and guidelines for implementing technology in home-based aged care. Evaluations have demonstrated strengthened inter-organisational relationships and enhanced knowledge exchange amongst partners. MARC offers a scalable model for collective impact. Its shared agendas, consumer and community-informed approach, co-design, transparent governance and acknowledgement of real-world challenges have contributed to achieving partner organisation goals of improving care and outcomes for older people.