Research

The Department's two primary sections, Paediatrics and Child Health, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, maintain a strong focus on research that informs clinical practice, with active research investigation in the following areas:

• Clinical genetics
• Clinical pharmacology
• Clinical reasoning, learning environments, patient and student experiences, and family care
• Diabetes
• Ethical issues
• Family violence
• Incontinence
• Infertility
• Māori health
• Obesity
• Sleep disorders
• Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI)
• The development of self-regulation in early childhood, attachment, behavioural changes
• Vaccine evaluation
• Vitamin K and bone health
• 3D printing in medicine and surgery, surgical instrumentation

Read or download the Department of Women's and Children's Health research supervisors, current projects, expertise and areas of interest (PDF)

• Visit the Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology website
• Visit the Section of Paediatrics website

The Department holds positions of national leadership in the form of:

• Curatorship of the New Zealand Mortality Review Data Group
• Hosting of the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit
• The New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service

These three units have been brought together under the banner of the Child Youth Policy Research Support Service (CYPRSS).

• Visit the CYPRSS website

Research proposals and ethics

Research process in the Department of Women's and Children's Health

Students should work with their supervisors throughout the process of designing and commencing a new research project. The guide below can assist students when commencing a project within the department.

• Read or download the Department of Women's and Children's Health guide for researchers (PDF)

Ethics applications

All studies require ethical approval. Applications to the relevant committee should be completed in consultation with your supervisors. The University of Otago Council provides advice to guide you through the process of confirming which ethics committee you will be approaching, with the relevant application forms:

• Find out more about the University of Otago Council: Human Ethics Committees

A component of the national Health and Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC) application is a scientific review. In the Department of Women's and Children's Health, this is performed by the WCH Research Committee and is co-ordinated by Professor Stephen Robertson.

Email stephen.robertson@otago.ac.nz

Sources of funding support

Research and Enterprise Office

otago.ac.nz/research/otago004140.html

Health Research South

otago.ac.nz/health-research-south

Research Committee

Below are the forms to be used to apply for funding from the Department of Women's and Children's Health Research Committee:

• Grant-in-Aid Application Form (PDF)
• Conference Travel Application Form (PDF)
• Conference Travel Final Report Form (PDF)