Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth

22/06/2026

Applications Now Open: 2026 Stillbirth CRE PhD Top-Up Scholarships

The Stillbirth CRE is offering top-up scholarships of up to $9,000 to support PhD candidates working on research aligned with our priorities in stillbirth prevention and best practice bereavement care.

These scholarships are open to students at any stage of their candidature in 2026 and aim to support high-quality research that contributes to real-world change in stillbirth outcomes.

Find out more and apply now: https://www.stillbirthcre.org.au/researchers-clinicians/grants-and-opportunities/awards-and-scholarships/

18/06/2026

🚨We’re extending Early Bird registration for Waves of Change 2026 until the end of the financial year! 🎉

You now have until the 30th of June to secure your spot at the best available rate and be part of the conversations, connections and ideas shaping the future of perinatal care and research.

Don’t miss your chance to join us on the Gold Coast for the Waves of Change 2026 conference 🌊

🎟 Secure your early bird ticket now! https://forms.matereducation.qld.edu.au/waves-of-change-2026/

Secure your spot at the 2026 Waves of Change Conference! The registration fee includes full access to both days of the conference, catering throughout the event, and the Friday evening networking reception with drinks and canapés. Please note that single-day registrations are not available.

18/06/2026

Australia’s stillbirth rates are rising, but the story is more complex than it seems.

Legislative changes expanding access to terminations of pregnancy after 20 weeks’ gestation may explain much of the increase in stillbirths, but more research is needed.

In this Perspective published in The Medical Journal of Australia, Stillbirth CRE researchers and collaborators critically discuss Australia’s recent rise in stillbirth rates, what might be happening, and what’s needed next.

All stillbirths matter. But different statistical measures serve different purposes.

The authors suggest that, alongside stillbirth rates according to the legal definition (stillbirths from 20 weeks’ gestation including terminations of pregnancy), national data reporting bodies publish stillbirth rates among births from 28 weeks’ gestation excluding terminations
of pregnancy – the latter most relevant to Australia's current stillbirth prevention initiatives.

Interpretable data and smart policy response are key to saving lives and supporting families.

MJA article link: https://shorturl.at/SB9LH

11/06/2026

🎤 Session Spotlight: Learn about caring across cultures, communities and countries at 🌊 Waves of Change 2026

This Day 1 session brings together powerful voices exploring how we embed lived experience, strengthen partnerships, and deliver more inclusive, culturally safe perinatal care.

From Birthing on Country to global collaboration, these conversations are helping shape better outcomes for families across Australia and beyond.

📍 Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre | 7–8 August
🎟 Tickets available now: https://stillbirthcre.org.au/event/waves-of-change-2026/

09/06/2026

📢 New published research!

A newly published study "Implementing the Safer Baby Bundle for stillbirth prevention across Queensland maternity services using a modified breakthrough series collaborative" has delivered encouraging results to implement improvement at scale to reduce stillbirth risk factors.

The research analysed antenatal services across Queensland over 18 months during COVID-19 and workforce pressures to report on the delivery of the Safer Baby Bundle Improvement Project (SBBIP) which used a modified Breakthrough Series Collaborative (BTS).

Key Findings:
🔹 Strong engagement: 89% of teams actively participated and all implemented changes
🔹 Improvements seen in key care practices linked to stillbirth prevention
🔹 Some early birth outcomes improved (e.g. reduced early-term planned births)
🔹 Stillbirth rate itself did not change during the study period (remained approx. 2.1 per 1000)

The findings show that even in challenging conditions (like the pandemic and workforce shortages), large-scale implementation is feasible. Simplifying improvement methods can boost participation and uptake.

Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s43058-026-00921-2

Queensland Health

07/06/2026

*This giveaway is now closed*

💙 Supporting the Waves of Change community 💙

We have 1 FREE ticket to give away to Waves of Change 2026 from It's from Elsie for a Midwife/Nurse/Researcher/Allied Health Professional.

To express your interest, midwives, nurses, researchers and/or allied health professionals comment "Waves of Change" below.

One recipient will be randomly selected and contacted directly. Entries close 16th of June 2026 at 9:00am AEST.

A big thank you to It's from Elsie for supporting our community.

Learn more about Waves of Change here: https://www.stillbirthcre.org.au/event/waves-of-change-2026/

05/06/2026

🚨We’re extending Early Bird registration for Waves of Change 2026 until the end of the financial year! 🎉

You now have until the 30th of June to secure your spot at the best available rate and be part of the conversations, connections and ideas shaping the future of perinatal care and research.

Don’t miss your chance to join us on the Gold Coast for the Waves of Change 2026 conference 🌊

🎟️ Early Bird extended — register by 30 June 2026 and save.

# MaternityCare

Secure your early bird ticket now! https://forms.matereducation.qld.edu.au/waves-of-change-2026/

01/06/2026

With just 2 months to go, preparations are well underway for what promises to be another great Waves of Change. We look forward to bringing people together for meaningful conversations and impactful experiences. Have you registered yet? There's still time to grab tickets.

Secure your spot now here!
https://forms.matereducation.qld.edu.au/waves-of-change-2026/

# MaternityCare

29/05/2026

⏰ One week to go! Early bird tickets for Waves of Change 2026 close in 7 days.

Join us on 7–8 August at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre for two days of research, clinical insight and implementation in perinatal care.

👉 Secure early bird pricing while you can: https://stillbirthcre.org.au/event/waves-of-change-2026/