WIRF Scientific Dialogue 2025

The Women and Infants Research Foundation is pleased to present the annual WIRF Scientific Dialogue From Eminence to Evidence: The importance of generating and using robust data to ensure the health of women, mothers and babies.

WIRF Scientific Dialogue 2025

The Women and Infants Research Foundation (WIRF) is pleased to present the annual WIRF Scientific Dialogue From Eminence to Evidence: The importance of generating and using robust data to ensure the health of women, mothers and babies.

Date: Friday, 5 September 2025, 12noon to 7pm.

Venue: Auditorium, UWA Club

Cost: $149 (Students $99) including presentations and refreshments. Purchase tickets here.

View the WIRF Scientific Dialogue flyer here.

Featuring keynote speakers:

  • Professor Ben (Willem) Mol – Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University (pictured left)
  • Professor Brett Manley – Neonatologist/ Professor/Director of Newborn Research at The Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne, and the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Health at The University of Melbourne (pictured right)

Professors Brett Manley and Ben Mol are key to advancing the theme From Eminence to Evidence using robust data to improve maternal and neonatal health. Prof Manley leads innovative trials like PLATIPUS for preterm infants, while Prof Mol focuses on evidence through large-scale clinical trials for safer, more effective interventions. Both will share their latest findings, shaping the future of women’s and newborn health.

Other speakers:

  • Professor Mary Steen, Professor of Midwifery at Curtin University and King Edward Memorial Hospital
  • Dr Kate Buchanan, Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Midwifery at the Edith Cowan University School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • Dr Mark Fear, Principal Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia
  • Dr Erin Fee, Early Career Researcher, Women and Infants Research Foundation / The University of Western Australia
  • Dr Bradley Macdonald, Paediatrician at Perth Children’s Hospital
  • Dr Brennen Mills, Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Paramedical Science and Public Health at the Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Science

Other event highlights:

  • The announcement of the 2025 Research Acceleration Award winners
  • Presentations from our student and early career researcher competition
  • An interactive moderated Q&A session
  • A consumer panel hosted by Joanne Beedie, Chief Executive Officer at Helping Little Hands

ACM and RANZCOG accreditation for 2025 is pending. As a guide, 2024 accreditation was 4.5 hours.

Student / Early Career Researcher Competition

Are you a student or early-career researcher passionate about improving the health of women, mothers and babies?

WIRF is offering a unique opportunity for students and early career researchers to showcase their research at the WIRF Scientific Dialogue. The top scoring presentation on the day will be awarded a certificate and a prize of $1,000. Submissions should be in research relating to women’s, newborn or maternal health.

How to enter:

Submit a brief structured abstract (introduction, aims and methods, results and conclusions; maximum 250 words) before 31 July.

Three abstracts will be selected for an eight-minute oral presentation at the WIRF Scientific Dialogue event on 5 September.

Presentations will be judged by the 2025 WIRF visiting professors.

For more information, or to submit your entry, contact us at: grants@wirf.com.au

View the WIRF Student Competition flyer here