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Early Researcher Career (ERC) Sub-committeee

The PSANZ ERC committee was established in 2010, to assist young researchers in furthering a career in the field of perinatal research.  The PSANZ Early Researcher Career (ERC) Sub-Committee is comprised of passionate new investigators with representatives from the fields of neonatology, basic science, obstetrics, neonatal nursing and midwifery. This interdisciplinary representation within the ERC committee is a major strength of this group, enabling the generation of a broad spectrum of innovative ideas and identification of needs to promote research for those early in their research career.

Aims
The aims of the PSANZ ERC committee are to:

   Encourage training and research in Perinatology;
   Identify needs and opportunities to promote and facilitate early career research;
   Advise and help to establish a network in the “research world”
   Liaise with the PSANZ executive committee to facilitate communication and provide support for ERCs; 
   Provide forums for new investigators within the annual meetings;

To this end, we will have a representative of the ERC committee attend the PSANZ executive board meeting and voice the views of the New Investigators.

Events
During the annual PSANZ conference in 2010, the ERC committee organised their first ERC breakfast session, sponsored by the PSANZ executive committee. The breakfast session, entitled “Steps Towards a Research Career”, included two presentations from leading experts who spoke about their own research paths, including their highlights and how they overcame their difficulties. Ms Kaye Spence (clinical nurse consultant, Grace Centre for Newborn Care, Sydney) gave the first presentation, giving advice to early career researchers in the field on nursing and midwifery.  Associate Professor Frank Bloomfield (Neonatologist, National Women’s Hospital Auckland and Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland) followed, with advice towards taking the next step to independence, through managing a research team.  The session was thoroughly enjoyed by those in attendance, and everyone left sufficiently enlightened about career options. We sincerely thank both Kaye and Frank for their time and generosity in sharing their experiences and advice with us.

From Left to Right: Dr Michael Stark, Ms Kaye Spence, Dr Graeme Polglase, Ms Jennifer Dawson, Dr Kitty Bach, Dr Kirsty Pringle, Associate Professor Frank Bloomfield and Dr Nicolette Hodyl.

Travel Awards
The ERC committee received support from the PSANZ executive to provide fifteen awards to assist with travel to attend the annual conference held in Wellington, New Zealand, in March 2010. Each award was to the value of $300, and prize winners received these awards at the Breakfast Session.

The winners of the PSANZ ERC travel Grants were:

Beth Allison (Basic science)
Nadine Brew (Basic science)
Melissa Siew (Basic science)
Heidi Richardson (Basic Science)
George Schmoelzer (Neonatology)
Alexander Dillon (Neonatology)
Amy Barker (Neonatal Nursing)
Melanie Jarvis (Neonatal Nursing)
Robyn Coetzee (Nutrition)
Gabby Musk (Basic Science)
Ann Kingsbury (Midwifery)
Jane Morrow (Midwifery)
Jane Hirst (Obstet/Gynae)
Alice Robinson (Obstet/Gynae)
Luffee Wong (Obstet/Gynea)

Membership
Membership is free of charge and open to all early career researchers of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ).

Future Plans
Following the success of the inaugural ERC breakfast session at the annual conference this year, this will be held once again at the PSANZ conference in 2011. This session will be designed to address issues of specific interest to ERCs in the field of perinatal research.

Please contact the committee with any ideas or suggestions you have for future events.

Committee Members

Chair: Dr Graeme Polglase
HHFA/NHMRC Peter Doherty Research Fellow
The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Vic
Graeme.polglase@med.monash.edu.au

Dr Kitty Bach
Neonatologist and PhD student
Auckland City Hospital; Liggins Institute, University of Auckland
KittyB@adhb.govt.nz

Ms Jennifer Dawson
Neonatal Nurse and PhD student
Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne
Jennifer.Dawson@thewomens.org.au

Dr Nicolette Hodyl
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
University of Adelaide, SA
Nicolette.hodyl@adelaide.edu.au

Dr Kirsty Pringle
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
University of Newcastle, NSW
Kirsty.Pringle@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Michael Stark
Neonatologist and NHMRC Health Professional Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Women’s and Children’s Hospital Adelaide; University of Adelaide SA
Michael.stark@adelaide.edu.au