HiPPP EMR-C Australia and New Zealand
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 wellbeing and capacity building in PhD students and EMCRs.
HiPPP EMR-C Australia and New Zealand 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 the health and well-being of women and families across the reproductive years.
Our purpose is to generate impact across research, policy and practice in HiPPP by creating opportunities for EMCRs to build capacity, collaborate, and transcend discipline and sector-based silos.
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 the latest updates or to get in touch, email us hippp.emrc@hipp.org.au and follow us on X: @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.
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 2025 Census
HiPPP EMR-C 2025 Census
At the 2025 census, HiPPP EMR-C Australia had 283 members, with 26 members (9%) responding to the bi-annual Census Survey. Click the image to download the full report.
More than 70% were satisfied with the usefulness of HiPPP EMR-C activities.
Outcomes reported from HiPPP EMR-C involved in 2024 and 2025:
- 46% strengthened networking and collaboration skills
- 39% generated research impact
- 35% strengthened leadership skills
- 27% improved interpersonal communication skills
- 23% co-authored papers with other members
- 19% strengthened critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- 15% developed a new mentor or mentee relationship
New resource: How to Best Engage Stakeholders in Your Research
Click the button to see what top tips our Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum (HiPPP) leaders have to share for partnership and engagement in this important area of research.
Meet the Collective
Leadership
Associate Professor Zohra Lassi
Equity Lead
Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide
Dr Vanessa Shrewsbury
International expansion lead
The University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute
Dr Maureen Makama
Generating Impact Stream Co-Lead and General Committee Member
Burnet Institute
Dr Rachael Taylor
Mentoring Co-Lead
School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle
Dr Natassia Rodrigo
Mentoring Co-Lead
Kolling Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney; Northern Sydney Endocrine Centre
Dr Rebecca Thomson
Annual Census & Strategic Plan Co-Lead
Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide
Dr Alison Brown
Annual Census & Strategic Plan Co-Lead
Hunter New England Local Health District
Michelle Putt
Media Advisor
CRE HiPP, 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 seven HiPPP EMR-C Australia members who have been awarded grants under the CRE HiPP PhD Research Support Grant Scheme 2023-24: Bereket Gebremichael, Haimanot Hailu, Hannah O’Connor, Lane Carrandi, Lesley Pascuzzi, Malith Kumarasinghe, and Zahra Ali Padhani. The awardees will use these funds to support their research on various aspects of maternal lifestyle health during preconception and pregnancy. Read more about the 2023-24 winners.
CRE HiPP PhD Research Support Grand Scheme 2022-23: Congratulations to the five HiPPP EMR-C Australia members who were awarded grants in 2022-23. Read more here.
COLLABORATIVE GRANTS
CRE HiPP Early- and Mid- Career Researcher (EMCR) Small Grant Scheme recipients 2023:
Determinants of body composition during postpartum period. Chief Investigators: Dr Kiran Ahuja (CIA), College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Dr Malith Kumarasinghe (CIB), Dr Manoja Herath (CIC), Professor Andrew Hills (Mentor).
Eating disorders in fertility care: exploration of the impact of an online educational module for health care professionals.Chief Investigators: Dr Christie Bennett (CIA), Dr Sarah Trobe (CIB), Ms Hilary Smith (CIC), Associate Professor Lisa Moran (CID and Mentor), Dr Janeane Dart (CIE).
Reasons, perception, and knowledge of non-pregnant, non-lactating women of reproductive age, regarding the use of artificial sweetners. Chief Investigators: Dr Mumtaz Begum (CIA), Associate Professor Zohra Lassi (CIB), Associate Professor Shao Jia Zhou (CIC), Mrs Saima Shaukat Ali (CID), Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle (Mentor).
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
The 2025 HiPPP EMR-C International Awards were announced during the HiPPP EMR-C EPOCH-Connect conference on November 18, 2025. Congratulations to this year's winners! Previous award winners are also listed below:
Best publication for a postgraduate student: Bereket Gebremichael
Best publication for an early- or mid-career researcher: Dr Emma Cassinelli
Award for outstanding partnership and engagement: Dr Sinead Currie
Award for outstanding impact outside academia: Dr Madeline Benton
Award for international collaboration: Dr Maryam Kebbe
HiPPP EMR-C International Awards 2022, 2023 & 2024: Congratulations to the previous winners of our annual awards:
BEST PUBLICATION FOR A POSTGRADUATE STUDENT: 2023: Seonad Madden; 2022: Beyza Ustun; 2024: Haimanot Hailu
BEST PUBLICATION FOR AN EARLY- OR MID-CAREER RESEARCHER: 2023: Siew Lim; 2022: Mehar Chawla; 2024: Maryam Kebbe
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING STAKEHOLDER OR CONSUMER COLLABORATION: 2023: Siew Lim; 2022: Danielle Schoenaker; 2024: Alison Brown
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING IMPACT OUTSIDE ACADEMIA: 2023: Michael Daly; 2022: Danielle Schoenaker; 2024: Jennifer Hall
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION: 2024: Zohra Lassi
2024 Joint ANZOS/HiPPP Conference Abstract Award Winners:
For the first time, the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS) and HiPPP joined together to provide five EMCRs the opportunity to receive free registration to both the ANZOS and HiPPP EMR-C 2024 conferences, kindly supported by ANZOS.
Congratulations to our 2024 winners:
- Dr Sarah Lang
- Helia Khalesi
- Dr Anna Roesler
- Sophia Torkel
- Dr Kai Lui
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