Dr Danielle Pollock wins two successful 2025 MRFF grants towards stillbirth research
We are delighted to share that Dr. Danielle Pollock has been awarded not one, but two successful 2025 MRFF grants as a chief investigator, together totalling $5.89 million.
These highly competitive grants will fund programmes which address the prevention of stillbirth and the bereavement care that follows, with a strong emphasis on Aboriginal and community-led approaches. There are six stillbirths (the death of a baby after 20 weeks) every day in Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples experience disproportionately higher rates of stillbirth, linked to systemic inequities in healthcare access, and cultural safety.
Danielle knows all too well the impact of stillbirth. On the 22nd of February 2014, Danielle was one of those six when she gave birth to her stillborn daughter Sofia. Her death changed Danielle as she sought answers, which led her to research. Since then, Danielle has obtained her PhD where she explored stillbirth stigma and has become a methodologist who advocates for evidence-based decision-making and the inclusion of those with lived experience in the research that will impact them.
Project One: Community-driven remodelling of bereavement care services for Aboriginal perinatal loss
This groundbreaking initiative will partner closely with Aboriginal Elders, communities, and health providers to better understand bereavement care experiences, support health workers, and co-design an Aboriginal-specific model of care. By centring Aboriginal voices and knowledge, the project aims to improve culturally safe and responsive care for families experiencing perinatal loss.
The project is being led by Professor Carrington Shepherd in partnership with Curtin University and the Indigenous Health Research Program, alongside a collaborative team of researchers and community leaders.
Project Two: Safer Baby (SEEK): Strengths-based Education, Empowerment and Knowledge for help-seeking during pregnancy
Stillbirth prevention remains a national priority, and this project will work to empower pregnant people with knowledge and confidence to seek help when concerns arise. The SEEK project takes a strengths-based approach, aiming to reduce stillbirth by supporting informed decision-making and improving pathways to care.
This work is being led by Dr Christine Andrews from Mater Research, with HESRI Director Professor Zachary Munn contributing as an Associate Investigator.
As a lived-experience researcher in stillbirth, Danielle brings both personal insight and methodological expertise to these initiatives. Reflecting on this achievement, Danielle notes:
“These projects are the result of years of developing meaningful relationships with researchers and communities. It’s a privilege to be working together to strengthen both prevention and bereavement care, ensuring the voices of families are central to every step.”
At HESRI, we are proud to be leading the evidence synthesis components for these important initiatives, ensuring an evidence-based foundation to inform strategies and contribute to a meaningful impact.
Together, these two major projects represent a significant investment in improving outcomes for Aboriginal Peoples and other priority populations, addressing both the prevention of stillbirth and the provision of compassionate bereavement care.
Congratulations to Danielle, our HESRI colleagues, and the many investigators, community leaders, and health professionals involved in this vital work. These projects have the potential to make a lasting and meaningful impact for families across Australia