Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth

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Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth

Leading national research, resources & evidence-based advice to prevent stillbirth & improve care.

The Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth (Stillbirth CRE) has been established to address the problem of stillbirth in Australia. We are an Australia-wide initiative, our host institution being Mater Research Institute, within The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine. As a regional office of the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA), the Stillbirth CRE promotes and facilitates partnerships to ensure our work in Australia contributes to the global call to action for stillbirths and also newborn health as outlined Every Newborn Action Plan. Further, the CRE will work towards building a strong health and medical workforce to ensure sustained improvement in care and outcomes for future families.

22/08/2025

When parents and health professionals walk side by side, powerful change becomes possible.

Two weeks ago at the Waves of Change conference, we heard from a panel of parents, clinicians, and researcher about how authentic partnerships can help to strengthen maternity and newborn care.

These honest, important conversation reminds us that real progress begins when we listen to lived experience and co-design care that honours families’ needs, stories, and hopes.

Thank you to our incredible panel for your leadership, vulnerability, and commitment to walking this path together.

22/08/2025

Today we recognise Rainbow Baby Day, a day that honours babies born after the heartbreak of pregnancy and infant loss across all gestations.

A "rainbow baby" symbolises hope. For many families, this day is filled with both joy and sorrow.

To all those who are holding their rainbow babies, those who are still waiting, and those who carry their babies only in their hearts - we see you, we honour you today and always.

The Stillbirth CRE has a suite of free perinatal loss resources available for both clinicians and families. Learn more: https://carearoundloss.stillbirthcre.org.au/

18/08/2025

Every year over 2,000 Australian families experience the heartbreak of stillbirth. Researchers at the Stillbirth CRE and across the country are working to change that.

Through advances in perinatal research, we are gaining a better understanding of the causes and developing new strategies to help prevent these tragedies. From exploring placental health and fetal growth to improving clinical care, enhancing bereavement support, and ensuring culturally safe care for all families, researchers are uncovering insights that can help save lives and improve outcomes.

Learn more about the groundbreaking work being led by researchers at the Stillbirth CRE: https://stillbirthcre.org.au/researchers-clinicians/research-program-areas/search-for-research-projects/

15/08/2025

We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 Stillbirth CRE PhD Top-Up Scholarships, awarded to exceptional candidates whose research is contributing to the prevention of stillbirth and the improvement of care for bereaved families.

The scholarships were officially announced at the Waves of Change: Birth and Perinatal Care Conference in Brisbane last week.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s recipients:
▶️ Samia Aziz - Project title 'Levels, trends, determinants and outcomes of induction of labour'
▶️ Stefan Botha - Project title 'A global approach to advancing prediction and understanding of placental insufficiency'
▶️ Veronica Botha - Project title 'Iron and Iron-dependent Pathways in Placental Function: Implications for Fetal Growth Restriction'
▶️ Megan Weller - Project title 'Improving parent experience of review following perinatal death: The role of the midwife'

These scholars represent the next generation of research leaders committed to creating lasting change in maternity care and perinatal health.

12/08/2025

We are pleased to announce Diana Jans as the recipient of the Stillbirth CRE 2025 Karrikin Award.

The Karrikin Award recognises Indigenous leaders who stimulate ideas and growth through their dedication and outstanding contribution to reducing stillbirth rates among Indigenous communities.

The word ‘karrikin’ is derived from ‘karrik’ — a Western Australian Nyoongar word for ‘smoke’. Karrikins in plants stimulate seed germination and growth after bushfire.

Diana is a member of the Stillbirth CRE’s Indigenous Advisory Group and has shown unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for First Nations families through culturally safe and community-led approaches to research and care.

We are proud to celebrate her leadership and impact with this award.

11/08/2025

Last week the Stillbirth CRE hosted the Bereaved Parent Advocacy Committee (BPAC) Workshop in partnership with Stillbirth Foundation Australia, as part of the pre-program for the Waves of Change 2025 Conference.

The workshop brought together bereaved parents from across Australia with researchers, clinicians, and community organisations to drive change and to ensure families’ voices continue to shape national research and policy on stillbirth prevention and bereavement care.
We are grateful to all who have joined us in advancing this important work.

Learn more how parents like, Sarah Jade Matheson, a BPAC member is turning grief into advocacy: https://www.materresearch.org.au/news-publications/news/2025/august/conference-seeks-solutions-to-rising-stillbirth-rate

09/08/2025

That’s a wrap on 🌊

More than 300 delegates came together for the Waves of Change: Birth and Perinatal Care Conference- a national event focused on improving outcomes across the continuum of maternity and newborn care.

Hosted by the Stillbirth CRE and QLD MFM Symposium, this multidisciplinary event bought together clinicians, researchers, parents, policy makers, and advocates to share the latest evidence, lived experience, and clinical innovation in perinatal health.

From powerful conversations to cutting-edge research, we explored what it means to deliver compassionate, culturally safe care - while confronting some of the most complex challenges in birth and perinatal health.

A heartfelt thank you to our speakers, delegates and all the parents and families who continue to inspire this work.

08/08/2025

We are officially underway at in Brisbane!

More than 300 clinicians, researchers, parents, policymakers, and advocates have come together at - united in their commitment to improving outcomes in maternity care and stillbirth prevention.

The opening session set the tone for two days of important conversations- exploring the current landscape of stillbirth and maternity care in Australia and around the world.

The day began with a moving Welcome to Country by Songwoman Maroochy, a proud Turrbal woman, grounding the conference in connection to Country and culture.

We were pleased to welcome the Hon. Rebecca White MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health, who officially opened the conference and honoured to have Julia Strickland-Bellamy Mater Group CEO welcome attendees to this important event.

08/08/2025

New eLearning program: Caring for the Carer

Caring for bereaved families after the death of a baby can be intense and complex.

That’s why the Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth at Mater Research, in partnership with the Stillbirth Foundation Australia and PSANZ - Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, has launched Caring for the Carer – a free, self-paced online course designed to support healthcare professional wellbeing.

➡️ Flexible and self-paced
➡️ Four 15-20 mins modules
➡️ Practical, evidence-based content

Designed by health professionals, for health professionals, to ensure we can continue our critical work together.

The program is free, practical, and available now at https://learn.stillbirthcre.org.au/

23/07/2025

"It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference."

Growing a Healthy Baby is a suite of culturally adapted pregnancy resources created by the Stillbirth CRE’s Migrant and Refugee Health team - designed to support women from refugee and migrant backgrounds with clear, practical information in their own languages.

Used daily by clinicians like Mater Mothers Clinical Midwife Jacqui Freeman, the brochures are helping to make maternity care more inclusive, accessible, and respectful.

Farsi, Dari, Arabic, and Somali are the common spoken languages in the clinic, and seeing patients engage with materials in their own languages has felt powerful.

“It makes them feel seen and respected. It’s not just all in English - we’ve gone out of our way, and that matters.”

Read more about how these culturally adapted resources are making a meaningful impact in maternity care: https://stillbirthcre.org.au/stillbirthcre-news/mid-year-newsletter/ -a-Healthy-Baby

Access the resources here: https://growingahealthybaby.org.au/

21/07/2025

⏰ LAST WEEK TO REGISTER!

Don't miss your chance to be part of the Waves of Change: Birth and Perinatal Care conference, happening 8–9 August in Brisbane.

This is your opportunity to connect with global leaders in perinatal care, engage in conversations, and take away practical insights that will shape your practice and improve outcomes.
Whether you're a clinician, researcher, policymaker, or parent advocate – this event offers something for you.

✅ CPD hours available through ACM and RANZCOG
✅ 20+ expert speakers
✅ Evidence-based insights
✅ Networking with clinicians, researchers and advocates

Registrations close Sunday 27 July. Spots are limited - secure your ticket now! https://stillbirthcre.org.au/event/waves-of-change-2025/

17/07/2025

Free workshop for clinicians working in maternity care in Brisbane, 4 August 2025.

Join us for the Stronger Bubba Born Health Yarning Guide Workshop.

• 3-hour workshop
• Mater, South Brisbane
• CPD accredited

This workshop aims to support clinicians, to gain a better understanding of the historical and contemporary issues that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s health and learn to recognise the importance of culturally safe care.

Limited spaces available – secure your spot early!
Register now 👉 https://www.trybooking.com/DDCQY

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http://www.stillbirthcre.org.au/

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