HiPPP EMR-C Australia
About
The Health in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Early and Mid-career Researcher Collective (HiPPP EMR-C) was formed in Australia in 2019 by a national group of early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) and mentors who have united to meet the dual needs of collective action in maternal obesity prevention and capacity building in PhD students and EMCRs.
HiPPP EMR-C Australia is led by an active and diverse multidisciplinary team of EMCRs, with support and mentorship from leading experts in their respective fields, spanning research, practice, policy and advocacy.
We are collectively focused on improving maternal obesity and related outcomes through research that recognises both maternal and paternal wellbeing and impact on offspring outcomes.
Our purpose is to create opportunities for EMCRs to build capacity, form collaborations, transcend discipline and sector-based silos, and generate impact across research, policy and practice in the HiPPP field. We have developed a strategic plan and meet regularly to work towards achieving our purpose. We also offer a range of leadership, networking and mentoring opportunities, including hosting a yearly conference, to meet the needs of our members.
For our latest updates, follow us on Twitter @HiPPP_EMR_C
We welcome new members, including expanding our diversity, and are broadening internationally. For more information on joining read our "Welcome to the Collective" brochure.
Becoming a member provides excellent opportunities to share your research through HiPPP showcases and the Annual HiPPP EMR-C International Conference.
It also enables you to apply for awards, engage in our mentoring and leadership roles, and take advantage of our networking and collaboration opportunities. Membership is free.
Statement on Welcoming Indigenous Researchers and Members
HiPPP EMR-C Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their deep connections to land, sea and community. HiPPP EMR-C Australia pays respects to their elders past and present and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and acknowledges that sovereignty was never ceded.
HiPPP EMR-C Australia welcomes and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) and postgraduate students in the Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum (HiPPP) field, also senior researchers, clinicians or policymakers who are committed to providing mentorship in the HiPPP field. It is important to HiPPP EMR-C Australia that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are afforded the same opportunity to be present and contribute to our activities including networking, collaboration, knowledge creation and exchange, mentoring and leadership skill development.
At HiPPP EMR-C Australia our members are committed to increasing our cultural understanding, our awareness, our knowledge and skills, so that our work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and their families and communities, assists in creating research, policy and healthcare services that respectfully and effectively support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing needs during the reproductive years, for the benefit of current and future generations.
HiPPP EMR-C 2022 Census
At the 2022 census, HiPPP EMR-C Australia had 139 members, of whom 26% responded to the Annual Census Survey. These infographics show our key insights - click the images to enlarge. Main findings include the following:
- 91% identify as female and 9% identify as male
- 94% live in Australia
- 78% are public health researchers
- 65% are EMCRs, and a further 31% are student researchers
- 25% have published papers with other HiPPP EMR-C members, and 25% have submitted grant applications with other collective members
- 61% report that the HiPPP EMR-C has strengthened their networking and collaboration skills
- 42% report that the HiPPP EMR-C helped them generate impact in 2022
Meet the Collective
Leadership
Dr Vanessa Shrewsbury
Co-Chair
The University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute
Dr Melanie Hayman
Building Stakeholder Relationships Stream Co-Lead
Appleton Institute, CQUniversity
Dr Edwina Dorney
Building Stakeholder Relationships Stream Co-Lead
Sexual Health Medicine, University of Sydney
Dr Siew Lim
Generating Impact Stream Co-Lead
Cardiometabolic Health Implementation Research in Postpartum women (CHIRP), Monash University
Dr Caroline McGirr
Generating Impact Stream Co-Lead
TBA
Dr Rachael Taylor
Mentoring Co-Lead
School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle
Dr Nahal Habibi
Mentoring Co-Lead
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide
Dr Natassia Rodrigo
Mentoring Co-Lead
Kolling Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney; Northern Sydney Endocrine Centre
Dr Amie Steel
Social Media Co-Lead
Australian Research Centre in Complementary & Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney
Bonnie (Chivers) Brammall
Networking Co-Lead
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation & Monash Health
Dr Jenna Hollis
Conference Co-Chair
School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle
Dr Megan Gow
Conference Co-Chair
The University of Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School
Associate Professor Zohra Lassi
Conference Co-Chair
Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide
Dr Rebecca Thomson
Annual Census & Strategic Plan Co-Lead
Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide
Professor Helen Skouteris
Lead Mentor
Head of Health and Social Care Unit, Monash University
Kaylee Slater
Postgraduate Network Co-Lead
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of Newcastle
Michelle Dever
Postgraduate Network Co-Lead
School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
Chloe Tran
Secretary Co-Lead
Health and Social Care Unit, Monash University
Publications, Grants and Awards
Celebrating HiPPP EMR-C Australia’s achievements, below you can find out more about the publications, grants and awards received by our members when collaborating with each other.
PUBLICATIONS
Hill, B. & Shrewsbury, V. (2023). How to grow a productive research network for next generation leaders. Inspire Magazine. 28, 32-35.
Our flagship publication, describing how we came about and our goals:
Hill, B., Shrewsbury, V., Bergmeier, H., Irving, M., Martin, J., Bailey, C., Walker, R., Harrison, C.L., Hollis, J.L., Hunter, S-A., Kilpatrick, M., Lim, S., Moran, L.J., Salisbury, J., Schoenaker, D.A.J.M., Willcox, J.C., Skouteris, H. (2021). Maternal obesity prevention: The Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Early- and Mid-career Researcher Collective. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 61 (2), 310-14. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13316
GRANTS
Congratulations to five HiPPP EMR-C Australia members who have been awarded grants under the CRE HiPP PhD Research Support Grant Scheme 2022-23: Taylor Guthrie, Kaylee Slater, Nishadi Withanage, Bonnie (Chivers) Brammall and Kerry Sutcliffe. The awardees will use these funds to support their research on various aspects of maternal lifestyle health during preconception and pregnancy. Click here for more details.
COLLABORATIVE GRANTS
CRE HiPP Early- and Mid- Career Researcher (EMCR) Small Grant Scheme recipients 2022:
Body Positive Birth: A pilot study and feasibility evaluation of photovoice to explore larger bodied women’s experiences of maternity care. Chief Investigators: Dr Briony Hill (CIA).
Motivators and barriers for preconception nutrition and lifestyle information. Chief Investigators: Dr Jessica Grieger (CIA), Dr Briony Hill (CIB), Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle (Mentor).
Supporting behaviour change: Building local capacity to train maternal health professionals in the ‘art’ of Healthy Conversation Skills (HCS). Chief Investigators: Dr Michelle Kilpatrick (CIA), Dr Jenna Hollis (CIB), Professor Andrew Hills (Mentor).
Equitable preconception care to optimise pregnancy outcomes. Chief Investigators: Dr Siew Lim (CIA), Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle (CIB), Professor Helen Skouteris (Mentor).
Preconception care interventions for adolescents and young women – an evidence gap map. Chief Investigators: Dr Zohra Lassi (CIA), Dr Zahra Ali Padhani (CIB), Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle (Mentor).
CRE Mentoring: Vanessa Shrewsbury, Konsita Kuswara and Briony Hill were accepted into the 2022 CRE HiPP ECR Mentoring Program. In this program, the 3 mentees work collectively towards their career aspirations under the mentorship of Professor Helen Skouteris.
CRE HiPP inaugural Early- and Mid- Career Researcher (EMCR) Small Grant Scheme recipients 2021:
Co-design & Establishment of the Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Early Mid-career Researcher-Collective (HiPPP EMR-C) International Network. Chief Investigators: Dr Vanessa Shrewsbury (CIA), Dr Danielle Schoenaker (CIB), Dr Jenna Hollis (CIC), Dr Briony Hill (CID), Dr Heidi Bergmeier (CIE), Professor Shakila Thangaratinam (Mentor).
Preconception health: starting the conversation early. Chief Investigators: Dr Ruth Walker (CIA), Associate Professor Jacqui Boyle (CIB & Mentor).
Improving the safety and credibility of digital healthy lifestyle APPS that target women during pregnancy: an evidence-based approach towards better regulation. Chief Investigators: Dr Melanie Hayman (CIA), Dr Cheryce Harrison (CIB), Associate Professor Jacqui Boyle (CIC and Mentor).
AWARDS
HiPPP EMR-C International Awards 2022: Congratulations to the four winners in the first year of these exciting annual awards:
BEST PUBLICATION FOR A POSTGRADUATE STUDENT: Beyza Ustun
BEST PUBLICATION FOR AN EARLY- OR MID-CAREER RESEARCHER: Mehar Chawla
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING STAKEHOLDER OR CONSUMER COLLABORATION: Danielle Schoenaker
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING IMPACT OUTSIDE ACADEMIA: Danielle Schoenaker