Anneka Bowman

Anneka Bowman

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Anneka Bowman is a Senior Research Fellow of Translational Research for the Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights. She has a unique breadth of knowledge that draws on her extensive experience as a national clinical trial coordinator, as well as experience managing and conducting epidemiological research through national datasets, and development of national guidelines for care. Her statistical experience, understanding of effective research translation, and experience in working with First Nations populations are essential to ensure the best outcomes during the perinatal period.

Anneka's current work includes supporting and guiding the national Roadmap for Birthing on Country models of care. This work will lobby government commitment and sustainable support to guide a nationally coordinated approach to care that contributes to nation building, soveregnity for First Nations communities, and self-determination by removing legislative and policy-based barriers. Anneka currently undertakes collaborative research work at a national level to inform and develop guidelines to NHMRC standards, specifically the Care after Stillbirth and Neonatal Death guidelines as well as the South Australian Safer Infant Sleeping Guidelines.

As an investigator on the project undertaking Cultural adaption of the Safer Baby Bundle (a preventative campaign developed by the Stillbirth CRE to educate and promote awareness of stillbirth prevention across Australia) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, Anneka's work for the Department of Health through the Stillbirth CRE's adaption of the Safer Baby Bundle targets the prevention of stillbirth in Australia's most vulnerable populations.

Anneka's current work with the Molly Wardaguga Institute includes supporting projects using the RISE SAFELY framework, and also in development of the first Australian First Nations Evaluation framework for training and service redesign through the SAFELY principles.

Anneka's research focus includes impactful translation of evidence and knowledge to effect systems change. Her initial work in risk of stillbirth across high-income outcomes has influences care provision, and her work on the Care Around Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Guidelines guides and supports care of families across Australia and New Zealand. Her expertise has supported co-creation of evidence with First Nations Communities to ensure the translation of work in Australia and New Zealand is conducted appropriately, and guided by community.  

As a senior researcher with the Centre for Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Anneka is also an Investigator on the "Stronger Bubba Born" project, adapting stillbirth prevention resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families - https://strongerbubbaborn.org.au/. This research involved extensive community consultations, qualitative data analysis and working with a range of stakeholders, community members, and Elders from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. 

Anneka's work in research translation has seen application of her rigorous methodological expertise, and research findings through national and international guidelines. Her role as a support methodologist with the Australian Pregnancy care guidelines led to her role as the lead methodologist on the NHMRC and PSANZ Care Around Stillbirth and Neonatal Death guidelines for Australia and New Zealand. She has also been instrumental as an advisor on the South Australian Safer Infant Sleeping Guidelines.

Currently Anneka works with the Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights as a senior research fellow to guide research projects, publications, grant applications and the work of the Institute. Anneka mentors fellow researchers, and provides training opportunities to capacity build the team.

As well as her personal research endeavors, Anneka is a member of numerous committees in an advisory capacity including the South Australian Safer Infant Sleeping guideline working group, Red Nose Foundation  Project Advisory Group, the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) event and conferences committee, and the SAHMRI Women and Kids consumer advisory board. 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2025 - ongoing Senior Research Fellow - Translational Research Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights
    2022 - 2025 Affiliate Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2022 - 2024 Senior Research Fellow Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA)
    2022 - 2022 Research Fellow South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    2014 - 2022 Clinical Trial Coordinator South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide
    2010 - 2014 Clinical Research Assistant International Musculoskeletal Research Institute (IMRI)

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2017 - 2022 University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy
    2011 - 2014 Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Australia Masters of Research Management and Commercialisation
    2011 - 2012 Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Australia Graduate Certificate of Research Commercialisation
    2004 - 2010 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Bachelor degree of Health Sciences - Reproductive Health

  • Research Interests
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine

Date

 Award/Success details

Role

Value

2024

 Reconnecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families, and communities to their cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing with ‘care and connect pathways’ to address intergenerational trauma

Chief Investigator, grant writer

$5,000,000

3 June 2024

 University of South Australia Montebello Grant Foundation – Keeping Dads Strong for Family project

Chief Investigator, grant writer

$50,000

18 Mar 2023

 DoHAC Stillbirth and Miscarriage grant: Best practice care at the time of perinatal loss and in subsequent pregnancies is vital and relies on frontline maternity care providers who are equipped for this challenging role. We will work with health care professionals and parents to expand an existing successful education program (IMPROVE) to support and sustain evidence-based care and address care inequities in maternity settings. 

Grant writer, Steering committee member, key project decision maker and Indigenous project team member

$2,000,470

2017-2020

 NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Stillbirth PhD top-up scholarship 

Recipient

$18,000

19 Dec 2019

 NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Stillbirth – Research fund support 

Recipient

$4,721

July 2017-July 2020

 Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship/Stipend 

Recipient

$86,562

Year

Format

Title

Audience

Institution
2024

Half day workshop

Consequences of historical and complex trauma for the health of Aboriginal women

   3rd Year Bachelor of Health Science  University of Adelaide

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, and the first 1,000 Days in South Australia University of South Australia PhD Doctorate Full Time Naomi Thornthwaite
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