Internationally recognised implementation scientist Dr Christine Andrews has been appointed as a Mater Research Group Leader, leading efforts to translate perinatal evidence into safer, more equitable clinical practice.
Dr Andrews will establish and lead the new PIERS Research Group (Perinatal Implementation, Equity and Research for Safer Care), further strengthening Mater Research’s nationally significant perinatal health portfolio.
The new group focuses on implementation science, consumer partnership and health-system improvement—ensuring that research findings actively reach the families and communities who need them most.
Over the past eight years, Dr Andrews has played a leading role within the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth (Stillbirth CRE), spearheading programs that have improved maternity care across Australia.
Throughout her career, she has secured more than $13 million in competitive grant funding as a Chief, Co- and Associate Investigator. Her portfolio includes major national projects including Safer Baby SEEK—a national consumer-led initiative supporting pregnancy help-seeking among priority populations—and SPARK—an MRFF-funded project that brings together a multidisciplinary team of mid-career researchers, clinicians, consumers and implementation scientists to improve maternity care experiences and outcomes for Autistic expectant parents.
Her work was instrumental in the nationwide rollout of the Safer Baby Bundle, a core recommendation of the Stillbirth National Action and Implementation Plan, helping to improve the quality and consistency of maternity care and reduce unwarranted variation in practice across Australia.
Dr Andrews is also widely recognised for building collaborative partnerships across the health ecosystem, working hand-in-hand with clinicians, policymakers, lived-experience consumers and community groups.
Through PIERS, Dr Andrews will foster close collaboration across Mater Health and Mater Research, while actively mentoring the next generation of researchers and clinician-scientists.
Dr Andrews said she was honoured to take on the leadership role and guide the direction of the new research group.
"The PIERS Research Group will focus on making sure high-quality evidence doesn’t sit on a shelf but reaches the people and health services who can use it to improve care," Dr Andrews said.
"I am excited to continue working alongside families, clinicians and researchers to drive meaningful change and achieve better outcomes for families.
“Like a pier connecting land and water, PIERS connects evidence and practice to ensure research leads to meaningful improvements in care, experiences and outcomes for families.”
Mater Research Executive Director Professor Allison Pettit said that the appointment directly aligns with Mater Research's strategic focus on driving meaningful healthcare improvement.
“Through research that focuses on partnering with consumers and communities, we are better able to translate discovery into equitable, real-world health outcomes,” Prof Pettit said.
“I would like to congratulate Christine on this achievement and look forward to seeing her achievements in this new role.”
