Centre for Maternal, Fetal and Infant Research (MFIR)

The Centre for Maternal, Fetal and Infant Research (MFIR) is a unique research centre focusing on world class midwifery, public health, nursing and scientific research.

MFIR has a distinct brand of multi-professional and multidisciplinary research that has contributed new knowledge and understanding in midwifery practice, perinatal epidemiology, pharmaco-epidemiology and philosophy, crossing cultural and geographical boundaries.

MFIR focuses on antenatal, intranatal and perinatal research that impacts on mothers and babies within both a global public health and clinical research framework.

We aim to develop an integrated programme of research that impacts on the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies in the preconceptional, pregnancy, postpartum and early childhood stages.

Our objectives include:

• Raising awareness of the complex factors impacting on maternal, fetal and infant health and wellbeing
• Building on our international profile for breastfeeding research
• Sustaining recognition for our unique contribution to the philosophical understanding of models, concepts and theories applied in clinical researchContinued global status for world class work on perinatal epidemiology, pharmaco-epidemiology and data linkage studies (EUROCAT, EUROmediCAT, EUROlinkCAT and ConcePTION
• Establishing a programme of research on the effectiveness and perceived value of the psychological therapy EMDR on perinatal mental health
• Co-developing and adapting, appropriate technologies to enhance decision making that will impact on maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality at local and national levels
• Becoming world leaders in Patient & Public Involvement research using social media and online networking

There are two key research themes within MFIR:

• Midwifery and Maternal Health
• Perinatal Epidemiology

MFIR is also the home base for The Doctoral Midwifery Research Society, established in 2007 by Professor Marlene Sinclair and funded by the HSC R&D Division of the Public Health Agency.

The DMRS is interdisciplinary and international with a clear strategic objective to involve members of the public and consumer groups in all aspects of the research process.

The DMRS part funds the annual Spotlight on Breastfeeding Research conference.

Further details can be found at the Doctoral Midwifery Society.