“I am passionate about midwifery, and I am passionate about best-practice birthing care for First Nations women, newborns and communities.”
After working as a research assistant on the Baggarrook Yurrongi, Nurragh Manma Buliana project, Dr Res McCalman was inspired to pursue a PhD.
“My experience as a research assistant led me to enrol into a Master of Applied Science and then transfer to a PhD with the Judith Lumley Centre. I chose to study at La Trobe because my supervisors, who I was already working with as a research assistant, were very encouraging and believed I could succeed.”
A highlight of her research journey was seeing the outcomes of the Baggarrook Yurrongi project, which explores the capacity of maternity services to implement a new, culturally responsive model of care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women.
“It was great to see the positive impact of the Baggarrook Yurrongi project on the experiences of Aboriginal women having a baby at the three study sites in Naarm.”
During her PhD candidature, Dr McCalman also celebrated many academic achievements.
“I had the opportunity to co-present a keynote address with my supervisor at the Australian College of Midwives national conference, which was well received. That was a great moment,” she says. “Being awarded the Nancy Millis Medal for my thesis was also wonderful, it meant a lot to get that recognition.”
Dr McCalman is now working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Molly Wardaguga Research Institute for First Nations Birth Rights.
“My research work is oriented towards the implementation and up-scale of Birthing on Country services, which are First Nations led and designed birthing services that offer culturally and clinically responsive holistic wrap-around support for women and their Aboriginal families,” she says.
“I work with my colleagues and the partner organisations to undertake research that is community-led and meets the needs of local communities,” she says. “This work also involves a lot of advocacy for policy change.”
“All of my work ties into Indigenous feminism. I get to think and write about these topics and hopefully contribute to positive change.”
“I am also lucky enough to work alongside, and be mentored by, incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and non-Indigenous allies, who are like-minded.”
