The First 10K Days Wellbeing Network is a central location for academics, clinicians, community, policy makers, and businesses to advance the outcomes for every child, young person and family.
Research plays a vital role in understanding the environmental, societal, health and economic forces that shape outcomes. But research alone isn’t enough. To create real-world change, we need action.
The First 10K Days Wellbeing Network exists to accelerate that. We connect researchers, partners, funders, policy makers and communities across disciplines and geographies, through a shared engine for impact, united by one goal: for every young person to thrive across the first 10,000 days of life.
Our research projects
Research plays a vital role in understanding the environmental, societal, health and economic forces that shape outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Through our network of researchers from leading universities and institutions from around the world, we work to improve outcomes for children, young people and families in partnership with clinicians, policy makers, businesses and community.
Participate in our research to help shape a better future for children, young people and their families.
The below research projects are divided by the ARACY Nest Wellbeing Framework.
Research helping families' wellbeing
Ensuring children feel valued in loving and secure environments.
Project: Pact Online
Supporting parents with children who have a neurodevelopmental disability or developmental delay.
Seeking families of children (0-10 years old) diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental disability (including autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, FASD) or developmental delay to take part in the trial of a free online parenting support program PACT Online.
PACT Online is free online parenting support prgram grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Being the parent of a child with additional developmental needs is more demanding. We know that you work harder, need to be more flexible, and need to advocate for your child. And, in doing all of this, you need to remember your own self-care. The heart of PACT Online is supporting you in being the kind of parent that you want to be, so that you can do your best for your child, your family and yourself.
This research is conducted by the Queensland Cerebral Palsy Research & Rehabilitation Centre at The University of Queensland.
Research for a safe environment
Providing access to essential material needs like food, housing, transport, clean air and other essentials.
Project: The EMBER study
A family‑focused research project looking at how bushfire smoke affects children’s respiratory health at home.
The EMBER study is a family‑focused research project looking at how bushfire smoke affects children’s respiratory health at home. Families who take part will be asked to complete a questionnaires, measure their lung‑function, collect urine and dust samples, and allow temporary air‑quality monitors to be placed in their home during smoke events. By participating, families help build evidence that can guide advice and protections to better support children’s health during future bushfire seasons, while also learning more about their own home air quality.
This research is conducted by the Child Health Research Centre at The University of Queensland.
Research to improve health outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Promoting good physical and mental health
Project: Active Strides
A research project aiming to improve movement and participation for children with bilateral cerebral palsy or similar non-degenerative conditions.
Project: PRESENT trial - PasteuRisEd donor human milk SupplEmentatioN for Term babies
Exploring donor milk to stabalise sugar levels for babies to prevent them from presenting at the neo-natal unit.
About 2 in 3 babies born to mothers with diabetes are given infant formula to manage their blood sugar levels. If their blood sugar falls below a certain level, babies may need extra care in the neonatal unit. In this study, we are exploring whether giving donor breastmilk (compared to usual care) can help keep your baby’s blood sugar stable and stop them needing admission to a neonatal unit. We also want to find out whether donor milk can help support breastfeeding, improve parent’s mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of allergy in your baby. After birth, mothers will be supported and encouraged to breastfeed their babies. Babies born to mothers with diabetes will have their blood sugar levels checked as part of their usual care. If a baby has a low blood sugar, they will be randomly assigned to receive either donor milk or formula (the usual care) for any additional milk they may need in the first five days of life. Participants will be asked to complete short surveys at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. If a baby shows signs of milk allergy at 6 or 12 months, they may be invited for allergy testing. This trial addresses a significant gap in neonatal care and will generate evidence to inform whether broader use of donor breastmilk could improve both short- and longer-term outcomes for mother and their babies.
The PRESENT study is taking place at the following locations:
- Royal Women’s Hospital (VIC),
- Frances Perry House (Ramsay Health VIC), with more sites to be added soon.
We are currently recruiting mothers who are pregnant and managing diabetes and plan to give birth at one of the hospitals mentioned are invited to take part in this study.
If you are interested in participating, contact the study team at: present@uq.edu.au This research project is led by researchers at the Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, in collaboration with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
Project: Assessment of brain connectivity after Acquired Brain Injury
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) We will also assess attention, memory, problem solving skills and quality of life using guided questionnaires.
We are looking for children, adolescents and young adults aged 8–24 years who meet one of the following:
- Have received a diagnosis of ABI
- Have an orthopaedic injury or fracture without brain injury
- Healthy individuals without a brain injury
And participants should also not suffer from frequent, uncontrolled seizures and have no history of significant medical or psychiatric disorders before injury (excluding ADHD).
To learn more about the study or to see if you/your child is eligible, please contact Ning Song. E: UQ_ABiC@uq.edu.au T: 04 3375 6220
Our researchers
We have a network of leading researchers who provide expertise in a wide range of areas to improve the health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families.
The convener of the First 10K Days Wellbeing Network
Professor Craig Munns developed the First 10K Days Wellbeing Network to strengthen connection between research, policy and practice accross varied disciplines and geographies to deliver real-world solutions for child, youth and family wellbeing. With this approach, the First 10K Days Wellbeing Network will accellerate the health and wellbeing outcomes for children, young people and their familes.
See below our research leaders who advance our understanding in improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for children, young people and their familes.
The Child Health Research Centre:
- Professor James Scott
- Professor Karen Barlow
- Professor Kristen Gibbons
- Professor Roslyn Boyd
- Professor Paul Robinson
- Professor Amanda Ullman
- Professor Simon Smith
- Professor Leanne Sakzewski
- Associate Professor Sally Staton
- Associate Professor Jas Chawla
- Dr Enda Byrne
- Dr Dwan Vilcins
- Dr Natasha Reid
- Dr Kath Benfer
Do you have an idea or product that will advance the health and wellbeing of children, youth and their families? Join the network and help us make a better future for today's children, youth and their families.
Our events
The First10KDays Wellbeing Network leads several events accross the year to bring researchers, community and businesses together.
First 10k Days Wellbeing Network Student Night
Thought about a career in research? The First 10K Days Wellbeing Network hosts an annual Student Night. This is a free event, allowing you the opportunity to meet with numerous research groups that aim to improve outcomes for children, youth and families. This event will show you what a career in research could look like for you. This event is hosted every September for network members. Become a network member and join us.
Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on our upcoming webinars, education sessions and events.
If you are an academic, a clinician, a business owner, or a community member with an idea to improve outcomes for our children, young people and families. Contact us or arrange a meeting: first10Kdays@uq.edu.au
We have a broad network of members of researchers and community members who have joined us on our mission to improve outcomes for children young people and familes.
Read about our current community members and researchers.