Our research programs

Our Centre conducts outstanding interdisciplinary applied research to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and families.

We have a broad public and population health focus and our work is underpinned by a commitment to equity, diversity, social justice and the importance of supporting Australia’s most vulnerable families. We are an important voice in promoting evidence-based policy decision-making, and in public discourse on contemporary issues such as pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding, parenting, work-life balance, family violence, sexual and reproductive health, families and childhood.

• Breastfeeding
  researching all aspects of breastfeeding from clinically focused studies to interventions aiming to increase the maintenance of breastfeeding
• Child, family and community health
  making a positive impact on the quality of child and family services and the client experience
• Mother and infant health and maternity services
  achieving the best possible outcomes for women and their infants
• Sexual and reproductive health
  effectively controlling fertility and maximising the opportunities for a planned and wanted pregnancy and birth
• Preventing and reducing sexual and gender-based violence
  tailoring prevention and response to the differing effects of sexual and gender-based violence in primary health care and community settings
• Transition to contemporary parenthood – preparation and support
  identifying the best ways to support mothers and fathers in their roles as parents
• Work and family
  understanding the role of parents' jobs and employment conditions on parenting, parent-child relationships and family health and wellbeing