Executive

Below is a list of current NARI executive staff members.

  • Associate Professor Briony Dow
    BSW MA PhD
    Executive Director
    Associate Professor Briony Dow is Director of the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and Associate Professor of Ageing at the University of Melbourne. She is co-chair of the University’s Hallmark Ageing research Initiative and teaches a core subject in the Master of Ageing. At NARI, A/Prof Dow manages a program of research encompassing improving care for older people in Victorian health services, falls and balance, healthy ageing, diversity in ageing, ageing and mental health. A/Prof Dow is the immediate past National President of the Australian Association of Gerontology.
  • Debra O'Connor
    BSW, MSW, MBL, (GAICD)
    Deputy Director, Executive Manager
    Ms Debra O'Connor is the Executive Manager and a Deputy Director of NARI. Ms O’Connor joined NARI in 2007 and is a member of the executive team and is responsible for all the operational and research governance functioning of NARI as well as supporting the Board and their subcommittees. She also manages the education and professional development program. Ms O’Connor maintains a strong interest and some advisory roles in psychosocial research undertaken by NARI. As part of her role she oversees fundraising and communications programs and external relations and partnerships development. Ms O’Connor’s career path has included managing health services as well as lecturing. She is currently a member of the RMIT Social Work Program Advisory Committee and has recently graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is the NARI Company Secretary.
  • Dr Frances Batchelor
    Ph.D B. App Sc (Physio), Grad Dip Ed (Sport Science), M. Hlth St.
    Deputy Director, Health Promotion & Falls and Balance Stream Leader
    Dr Frances Batchelor is the Deputy Director of Health Promotions at NARI. She is also the stream leader for Falls and Balance, MARC project leader and a research and clinical physiotherapist. Her research interests include falls prevention after stroke; falls prevention across community, residential care and hospital settings; identification and management of mild balance dysfunction; and the interface between technology and falls. Her current projects include the evaluation of balance and gait in minor stroke, and the development of an e-learning resource on physical activity. Before coming to NARI, Frances worked in neurology and aged care in Australia, Germany and England in both acute and sub-acute settings. She was awarded her PhD in 2010 from the University of Melbourne.
  • David Rischbieth
    Chief Finance Officer