Perinatal and child health

This research area is concerned with the antecedents and consequences of reproductive events, such as preterm birth and physical and psychological disorders.

Major areas of work in perinatal and child health include both descriptive and intervention studies concerned with:

  • The investigation of birth outcomes for the whole childbearing population, and also for particular groups of women and their infants, such as immigrant and refugee women and Indigenous women;
  • Testing interventions to improve birth outcomes;
  • The role of pre-pregnancy health status and/or health treatments in women’s perinatal outcomes;
  • Monitoring breastfeeding in Australia, understanding breastfeeding problems and testing interventions to improve breastfeeding rates and experiences.

Potential PhD topics

The Department will consider any research topic that interests potential PhD students; however, students will benefit from researching in areas that align with the Faculty’s research strengths.  Please find a relevant supervisor to discuss your PhD topic.

Alternatively you may contact one of our academics below to discuss your area of interest.