Fiona Stanley
Patron
FAA FASSA MSc MD FFPHM FAFPHM FRACP FRANZCOG HonDSc HonDUniv HonFRACGP HonMD HonFRCPCH HonLLB (honoris causa)
contact@telethonkids.org.au
+61 8 6319 1176
Named Australian of the Year in 2003, Professor Fiona Stanley is a vocal advocate for the needs of children and their families.
Professor Stanley was the founding Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia, established in Perth in 1990. When she retired from the position in December 2011, the Institute had grown to more than 500 staff and students and forged an international reputation for its translational research in a range of areas.
On her retirement, Professor Stanley graciously accepted an invitation from the Board to take on the position of Patron, where she continues to advocate for the Institute, research and families.
Professor Stanley remains a Chief Investigator on a number of research grants at The Kids Research Institute Australia and is a valued mentor to many. She also continues her strong association with the University of Western Australia as a Distinguished Research Professor in the School of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Named in her honour, the new Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth opened in 2014. The Fiona Stanley Hospital will be one of the best in Australia - a leader in clinical care, research and education, supported by an innovative design that uses the latest scientific, technological and medical developments.
Born in Sydney in 1946, she moved to Perth with her family in 1956. She studied medicine at the University of Western Australia and practised in hospitals for two years before going to the United Kingdom and USA for further training in epidemiology (the science of describing and explaining the occurrence of disease in populations), biostatistics and public health.
In 2004, Professor Stanley was honoured as a "National Living Treasure" by the National Trust. She is the UNICEF Australia Ambassador for Early Childhood Development.
Professor Stanley has more than 300 published papers in scientific journals and has served on the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, the Federal Government's Social Inclusion Board and the WA State Government's Indigenous Implementation Board. She has given many presentations, both nationally and internationally, on the socio-economic determinants of child health.
Professor Stanley remains committed to a number of important roles, including: Distinguished Research Professor at the School of Paediatrics and Child Health, UWA; Vice Chancellor's Fellow, University of Melbourne; and Chair of the newly-formed Alcohol Advertising Review Board.
Research interests
Professor Fiona Stanley is trained in maternal and child health epidemiology and public health and has spent her career researching the causes of major childhood illnesses such as birth defects.
Her research includes:
- gathering and analysis of population data for epidemiological and public health research
- causes and prevention of birth defects and major neurological disorders, particularly the cerebral palsies
- patterns of maternal and child health in Aboriginal and Caucasian populations
- various ways of determining the developmental origins of health and disease
- collaborations to link research
- policy and practice and
- strategies to enhance health and wellbeing in populations.
Fiona is currently CIA on NHMRC Program Grant "Early developmental pathways linking health, disability, education, welfare and justice", ARC Linkage Grant "Pathways, policies and prevention: Better outcomes for Western Australian Children".
Education and Qualifications
- 1991 - Fellow of the Faculty of Community Child Health (FFCCH)
- 1991 - Foundation Fellow of the Australian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (FAFPHM)
- 1986 - Doctor of Medicine (MD), The University of Western Australia
- 1976 - Membership of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine (MFPHM) of the Royal College of Physicians (UK); awarded Fellowship status (FFPHM) in 1989
- 1976 - Master of Science (MSc), Epidemiology, The University of London
- 1970 - Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), The University of Western Australia
Projects
Western Australian Aboriginal Children’s Outcomes – The Impact of Parent’s Mental Health
Public Health Approach to Child Abuse and Neglect: Antecedents and Outcomes
Infants Removed by Child Protection: Nature, Extent and Impact
Educational Outcomes of Children in Contact with the Child Protection System: A Longitudinal Population Study
Developmental Pathways in WA Children Project (Developmental Pathways Project)
Alcohol-Related Harm in Young People
September 2020
Determinants and Outcomes of Preterm Birth & Pathways into Developmental Disorders
The Child Mortality Research Program
An investigation of parental mental health among the Aboriginal population in Western Australia, and its impact on children’s outcomes
‘Defying the odds’: Exploring the impact of perinatal outcomes, maternal social and health outcomes and level of culturally appropriate service availability on the health of Western Australian Aboriginal infants and children
An investigation of parental mental health among the Aboriginal population in Western Australia, and its impact on children’s outcomes
This project aims to address some important gaps in the evidence base in the area of Aboriginal mental health, with a focus on the perinatal period.
Centre of Linked Data Analytics and Social Policy (CLASP)
The Kids Research Institute Australia was awarded funding to establish a whole-of-state Centre of Linked Data Analytics and Social Policy.
Promoting positive perinatal mental health, parenting, cultural and spiritual wellbeing and resilience in Aboriginal parents in Western Australia
The collaborative qualitative methods used in this project have drawn on CPAR techniques to engage with Aboriginal people residing in the Pilbara region of WA.
Published research
Aragung buraay: culture, identity and positive futures for Australian children: Dharawal language: aragung = shield for war, protection; buraay = child
The Future Healthy Countdown 2030: holding Australia to account for the health and wellbeing of future generations
Australian First Nations response to the pandemic: A dramatic reversal of the ‘gap’
Until the recent death in Dubbo of an Aboriginal man, there have been no deaths from Covid 19 in Australia. The extraordinary success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in controlling the effects of this pandemic has been a global role model.
Health and climate change MJA–Lancet Countdown report: Australia gets another failing grade in 2020 but shows signs of progress
At the end of 2019 and into 2020, catastrophic fires in Australia consumed homes, lives, wildlife, and land. Just as the fires subsided, Australia, like the rest of the world, faced another emergency—the COVID-19 pandemic. It is instructive to reflect on lessons from the health disasters of the past year. Following publication of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)–Lancet Australian Countdown was published in December, 2020. This annual report on health and climate change in Australia is in its third year and comprises the efforts of five Australian institutions, in collaboration with University College London, UK, facilitated by a partnership between The Lancet and the MJA.
Literacy and Numeracy Underachievement in Boys and Girls With ADHD
Children with ADHD are disadvantaged from an early age in key areas of learning, and this risk increased with reduction in gestational age at birth
Predicting Long-Term Survival Without Major Disability for Infants Born Preterm
Apgar score, birth weight, sex, socioeconomic status, and maternal ethnicity, in addition to gestational age, have pronounced impacts on disability-free survival.
Disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perinatal mortality rates in Western Australia from 1980 to 2015
This study aimed to examine the pattern of stillbirth and neonatal mortality rate disparities over time in Western Australia
A large proportion of poor birth outcomes among Aboriginal Western Australians are attributable to smoking, alcohol and substance misuse, and assault
A large proportion of adverse outcomes were attributable to the modifiable risk factors of substance use and assault
Infant removals: The need to address the over-representation of Aboriginal infants and community concerns of another ‘stolen generation’
The disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infant removals needs to be seen as a priority requiring urgent action to prevent further intergenerational trauma
A Population-Based Matched-Sibling Analysis Estimating the Associations Between First Interpregnancy Interval and Birth Outcomes
Interpregnancy intervals of <6 months were associated with increased odds of preterm birth in second-born infants
Non-linear relationship between maternal work hours and child body weight: Evidence from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study
Extreme heat threatens the health of Australians
Heatwaves have serious health impacts and we need a better approach to prevention and management
Trends in alcohol-related injury admissions in adolescents in Western Australia and England: Population-based cohort study
More needs to be done to address alcohol-related harm, and on-going monitoring is required to assess the effectiveness of strategies.
Maltreatment risk among children with disabilities
Supports are needed for families with children with disabilities to assist in meeting the child's health and developmental needs, but also to support the parents in managing the often more complex parenting environment.
Advancing Australia's role in climate change and health research
While Australia has established leadership roles in climate science and health research, it must now link these two strengths
Association of gestational age and growth measures at birth with infection-related admissions to hospital throughout childhood
Children who were born with reduced gestational age, birthweight, and birth length have persistently increased rates of infection-related admissions to hospital until age 18 years
Data linkage in an established longitudinal cohort: The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study
A healthy diet was consistently associated with higher academic performance
Trends in maternal and newborn health characteristics and obstetric interventions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers
Trends in maternal demographic characteristics, pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy complications and neonatal characteristics were examined.
Stillbirth and neonatal death rates across time: The influence of pregnancy terminations and birth defects in a Western Australian population-based cohort study
Changes in clinical practice related to pregnancy terminations have played a substantial role in shaping stillbirth and neonatal death rates in WA
Changes in caesarean delivery rates in Western Australia from 1995 to 2010 by gestational age at birth
The objective of this paper was to measure changes in caesarean delivery rates for primiparous women in Western Australia during 1995–2010 stratified by...
Maternal mental health and risk of child protection involvement: Mental health diagnoses associated with increased risk
This WA data linkage study aims to assess whether maternal mental health problems are associated with worse child development outcomes, children’s safety and...
Childhood Hospitalisation with Infection and Cardiovascular Disease in Early-Mid Adulthood: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study
We investigated whether childhood infection-related hospitalisation (IRH, a marker of severity) was associated with subsequent adult CVD hospitalisation.
Grow up with your country
This commentary discusses the keys to empowering individuals & families to navigate the health, education, employment & social systems & to access relevant...
February 2015
Development and validation of the Australian Aboriginal racial identity and self-esteem survey for 8-12 year old children (IRISE-C)
In Australia, there is little empirical research of the racial identity of Indigenous children and youth as the majority of the current literature focuses on...
Climate Change and Children’s Health: A Commentary
This commentary describes the likely impacts on children's health and wellbeing from climate change, based on the solid science of environmental child health.
Pathways into Noncommunicable Diseases Start Early in Life. In: Sykes H, Blashki G, editors. Dancing in the Rain
We are living in a time of unprecedented risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer...
Re-analysis of the association between perinatal androgens and postnatal head circumference growth
This paper is a correction of an earlier report that identified a link between exposure to high levels of testosterone during pregnancy and reduced head...
Re-evaluation of link between interpregnancy interval and adverse birth outcomes: Retrospective cohort study matching two intervals per mother
This study questions the causal effect of short interpregnancy intervals on adverse birth outcomes and points to the possibility of unmeasured or...
Child health - How is Australia doing and what more do we need to do for our kids?
Australia really is a lucky country, but if we want future prosperity, then focusing on the health and wellbeing of our children is one of the most important...
Children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and their hospitalisations: population data linkage study
We conducted a population-based, record linkage study to examine the hospital admission risk in young children who are subsequently diagnosed with attention...
Analysis of baseline hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in late adolescence reveals gender specific sensitivity of the stress axis
We aimed to investigate basal HPA-activity in a normal population in late adolescence, the time of life believed to overlap with HPA-axis maturation...
Changes in risk factors for preterm birth in Western Australia 1984-2006
Marked increases in maternal age and primiparous births were observed. A four-fold increase in the rates of pre-existing medical complications over time...
Improving the health of First Nations children in Australia
Health and wellbeing of children and young people are the keys to human capability of future generations.
Cross-country comparison of victimisation-related injury admission in children and adolescents in England and Western Australia
The similarities in risk factors and in the adjusted rates of victimisation-related injury admission in both countries suggest that the VR cluster of ICD-10...
Role of public and private funding in the rising caesarean section rate: A cohort study
Our results indicate that an increase in the prelabour caesarean delivery rate for private patients in private hospitals has been driving the increase in the...
Neonatal complications in public and private patients: A retrospective cohort study
Despite the rates of low Apgar scores being higher in public patients, the rates of special care admission were lower.
Trends in pre-existing mental health disorders among parents of infants born in Western Australia from 1990 to 2005
From 1990 to 2005, there was an increase in prevalence of parents with a prior history of mental health disorders in WA.
Assisted Vaginal Deliveries in Mothers Admitted as Public or Private Patients in Western Australia
We investigated whether the risk of adverse infant outcomes after assisted deliveries was different for mothers admitted as public or private patients for...
Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy predict parent-reported difficult temperament in infancy
These data suggest that the link between maternal hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and child behavioral development begins in the first year of life.
Delivery at 37 weeks' gestation is associated with a higher risk for child behavioural problems
We suggest that 37 weeks' gestation may not be the optimal cutoff for defining perinatal risk as it applies to behavioural development.
Is autism one or multiple disorders?
Elucidating the underlying nature of the disorder(s) is a crucial step towards tailoring intervention to the biological and cognitive makeup of each individual.
Are women with major depression in pregnancy identifiable in population health data?
Although record linkage of routinely collected health datasets is a valuable research resource, most datasets are established for administrative purposes and...
Neonatal outcomes after preterm birth by mothers' health insurance status at birth: a retrospective cohort study
Publicly insured women usually have a different demographic background to privately insured women, which is related to poor neonatal outcomes after birth.
Off-label use of ondansetron in pregnancy in Western Australia
There is an increasing trend to prescribe ondansetron although its safety for use in pregnancy has not been established.
Pre-pregnancy maternal overweight and obesity increase the risk for affective disorders in offspring
Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity has been linked with an increased risk for negative emotionality and inattentiveness in offspring in early childhood.
Privacy protectionism and health information: Is there any redress for harms to health?
Health information collected by governments can be a valuable resource for researchers seeking to improve diagnostics, treatments and public health outcomes.
Setting the RECORD straight: Developing a guideline for the reporting of studies conducted using observational routinely collected data
There has been a dramatic increase in the availability of "routine data" for research purposes, including data from electronic medical records,...
Maternal Conditions and Perinatal Characteristics Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability
Findings show that indicators of a poor intrauterine environment are associated with an elevated risk of ID, while for ASD, and particularly ASD without ID,...
Early life influences on cardio-metabolic disease risk in aboriginal populations-what is the evidence? A systematic review
We systematically reviewed the published evidence for the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis among aboriginal populations from Australia,...
The Australian Baby Bonus Maternity Payment and Birth Characteristics in Western Australia
The Australian baby bonus maternity payment introduced in 2004 has been reported to have successfully increased fertility rates in Australia. We aimed to...
Increase in caesarean deliveries after the australian private health insurance incentive policy reforms
The Australian Private Health Insurance Incentive (PHII) policy reforms implemented in 1997-2000 increased PHI membership in Australia by 50%.
Early morbidity and mortality following in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
The early years of life have a profound effect on a child's developmental pathway.
Jean Golding - A testimonial
A testimonial about Jean Golding's achievements in paediatric epidemiology.
The impact of monetary incentives on general fertility rates in Western Australia
We examined general fertility rates from 1995 and 2006 by socioeconomic group, maternal age, Aboriginality and location in WA before and after the Baby Bonus.
Heavy maternal alcohol consumption and cerebral palsy in the offspring
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between heavy maternal alcohol consumption and pre- peri- and postneonatally acquired cerebral palsy.
Severity and persistence of asthma and mental health: a birth cohort study
The goal of the current study was to investigate asthma and mental health among youth in the community.
Western Australian emergency department presentations related to child maltreatment and intentional injury
To determine the proportion of child maltreatment-related emergency department presentations in WA and describe the types of injuries associated with them.
Maternal work hours in early to middle childhood link to later adolescent diet quality
Previous studies on maternal work hours and child diet quality have reported conflicting findings possibly due to differences in study design, lack of a...
Commentary: Folate and neural tube defects-the influence of Smithells et al. on research and policy in the Antipodes
We wanted to embark on an epidemiological research project that would contribute new knowledge and, at the same time, might prove the value of the registry...
Breastfeeding and early child development: A prospective cohort study
Breastfeeding has been associated with multiple developmental advantages for the infant; however, there have also been a number of studies that find...
Lifecourse childhood adiposity trajectories associated with adolescent insulin resistance
In light of the obesity epidemic, we aimed to characterize novel childhood adiposity trajectories from birth to age 14 years and to determine their relation...
Autism and intellectual disability are differentially related to sociodemographic background at birth
We used population data on Western Australian singletons born from 1984 to 1999 (n = 398,353) to examine the sociodemographic characteristics of children...
Analysis of dyslexia candidate genes in the Raine cohort representing the general Australian population
We have conducted an association study in a novel sample derived from the Australian population to further investigate the role of dyslexia candidate genes.
Community-Level Socioeconomic Inequalities in Infants With Poor Fetal Growth in Western Australia, 1984 to 2006
This study describes social and racial inequalities in poor fetal growth in Western Australia between 1984 and 2006.
Obstetric malpractice litigation and cerebral palsy in term infants
The aim of this paper is to review relevant research papers to aid practitioners involved in obstetric malpractice litigation.
Prenatal stress and risk of behavioral morbidity from age 2 to 14 years:
The maternal experience of stressful events during pregnancy has been associated with a number of adverse consequences for behavioral development offspring...
A preliminary study of fetal head circumference growth in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Fetal head circumference (HC) growth was examined prospectively in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Can joined-up data lead to joined-up thinking? The Western Australian Developmental Pathways Project
Modern societies are challenged by "wicked problems" - by definition, those that are difficult to define, multi-casual and hard to treat.
Variability in paediatric outcomes within wealthy countries
Overall rates of preterm birth have remained fairly static over the last two decades, inequalities between Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal infants have increased
Dispensing patterns and pregnancy outcomes for women dispensed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in pregnancy
The purpose of this study was to investigate dispensing patterns and pregnancy outcomes for women dispensed an SSRI in pregnancy.
Linking a pharmaceutical claims database with a birth defects registry to investigate birth defect rates of suspected teratogens
Data linkage of population administrative data is being investigated as a tool for pharmacovigilance in pregnancy in Australia.
Monitoring child abuse and neglect at a population level: patterns of hospital admissions for maltreatment and assault
To investigate the prevalence, trends, and characteristics of maltreatment and assault related hospital admissions and deaths among children;
The use of cross-jurisdictional population data to investigate health indicators of child maltreatment
To investigate the prevalence, trends, and characteristics of maltreatment and assault related hospital admissions and deaths among children
Lowering Australia's defence against infectious diseases
Australia's defence, infectious diseases
Antecedents of hospital admission for deliberate self-harm from a 14-year follow-up study using data-linkage
A prior episode of deliberate self-harm (DSH) is one of the strongest predictors of future completed suicide. Identifying antecedents of DSH may inform strategi
Rationale for access to public sector information
On the back of the growing capacity of networked digital information technologies to process and visualise large amounts of information in a timely, efficient a
Low-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and risk to child behavioural development: a prospective cohort study
To examine the association of fetal alcohol exposure during pregnancy with child and adolescent behavioural development.
Maternal life events during pregnancy and offspring language ability in middle childhood
There is accumulating evidence for a link between maternal stress during pregnancy and later behavioural and emotional problems in children.
Modern and traditional diets for Noongar infants
Breast- & bottle-feeding patterns & the introduction of solid feeds & sugar containing drinks to the dietary intake of a cohort of urban Aboriginal infants
Social and racial inequalities in preterm births in Western Australia, 1984 to 2006
Social, racial inequalities, preterm births, Western Australia, 1984 to 2006
Smoking cessation in pregnancy and the risk of child behavioural problems: a longitudinal prospective cohort study
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of smoking in pregnancy on child and adolescent behavioural development, in comparison with mothers who cease
Characteristics of non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal children and families with substantiated child maltreatment
To investigate specific child and parental factors associated with increased vulnerability to substantiated child maltreatment.
Privacy or public good? Why not obtaining consent may be best practice
Using medical and other data from private citizens without obtaining the consent of those citizens has been a taboo of statisticians and of society
The long-term effects of breastfeeding on child and adolescent mental health: A Pregnancy Cohort Study followed for 14 years
To determine whether there was an independent effect of breastfeeding on child and adolescent mental health
An open letter to politicians on climate change and obesity
An open letter to politicians on climate change and obesity
Free testosterone levels in umbilical cord blood predict infant head circumference in girls
Fetal androgens influence fetal growth as well as postnatal neurocognitive ability.
Free testosterone levels in umbilical-cord blood predict infant head circumference in females
Fetal androgens influence fetal growth as well as postnatal neurocognitive ability
Antecedents of teenage pregnancy from a 14-year follow-up study using data linkage
This study identified possible antecedents of teenage pregnancy using linked data from administrative sources to create a 14-year follow-up from a cross-sect...
Evidence of a complex association between dose, pattern and timing of prenatal alcohol exposure and child behaviour problems
There is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of dose, pattern and timing of prenatal alcohol exposure and behaviour problems in children aged 2 years.
Improving the wellbeing of Australian children and youth: the importance of bridging the know-do gap
Improving the wellbeing of Australian children and youth: the importance of bridging the know-do gap
Child behaviour following low to moderate maternal drinking in pregnancy
Child behaviour following low to moderate maternal drinking in pregnancy
Adolescent dietary patterns are associated with lifestyle and family psychosocial factors
Few studies have examined the dietary patterns of adolescents and the social and environmental factors that may affect them during this life stage.
The risk of cerebral palsy in survivors of multiple pregnancies with cofetal loss or death
This study investigated the risks for cerebral palsy in survivors of multiple pregnancies with cofetal loss (< 20 weeks' gestation) or cofetal death...
Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and the development of behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence: The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study
To examine whether maternal gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are associated with behavioral problems in offspring
Interpretation of recent sudden infant death syndrome rates in Western Australia
Data for recent years show a shift away from a classification of 'SIDS' towards a classification of 'unascertainable', particularly for Aboriginal infants.
Patterns trends and increasing disparities in mortality for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants born in Western Australia 1980-2001: population database study
Since there are known disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in Australia, trends in infant mortality rates can be used to assess the...
The First Research Report: patterns and trends in mortality of Western Australian infants, children and young people 1980-2002
The Advisory Council on the Prevention of Deaths of Children and Young People today officially released this report.
Awards/Honours
2015 - Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences FAHMS (Hon)
2014 - Doctor Honoris Causa, KU Leven
2013 - Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc honoris causa), University of Queensland
2012 - Hon Doctor of Laws (Hon LLB (honoris causa)) University of Melbourne
2012 - Hassadah Australia 2012 Tikkum Olam Award
2010 - Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc), Edith Cowan University
2010 - WA Department of Commerce, Western Australian Science Hall of Fame Inductee
2009 - Honorary Bragg Member, Royal Institution of Australia
2008 - Honorary Doctor (Hon MD), University of Melbourne
2008 - Research Australia “Thank You” Day 2008 BUPA Australia Leadership and Innovation Award
2008 - AMA Gold Medal, Australian Medical Association
2007 - Flour Fortification Initiative Leadership Award
2006 - Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK) (Hon FRCPCH)
2005 - Honorary Doctor of Medicine (Hon MD), University of Sydney
2005 - Life Member of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA)
2005 - Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ Lifetime Achievement Medal
2004 - Living National Treasure – Australia (elected by the people of Australia)
2004 - Variety Humanitarian Heart Awards – Humanitarian of the Year
2004 - National Entrepreneur of the Year Leading a Social, Community or Not-for-Profit Enterprise (Ernst & Young)
2004 - Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (Hon FRACGP)
2003 - Western Australia State Winner of the Australian of the Year Award
2003 - National Australian of the Year
2003 - Centenary Medal awarded by the Australia Government
2002 - Australian Legends Award, Australia Post (stamp)
2002 - Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
2001 - Honorary Doctor of the University (Hon DUniv), Queensland University of Technology
2000 - Howard Williams Medal in Child Health, Royal Australian College of Physicians
1999 - Western Australian Week Council Citizen of the Year Award – Community Service
1999 - Western Australian Week Council Citizen of the Year Award – The Professions
1998 - Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc), Murdoch University
1996 - Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia (FASSA)
1996 - Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
1996 - Companion of the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund
1995 - Advance Australia Foundation Award
1995 - Fellow-addendum of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG) (1995). In 1998 the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists amalgamated with the Royal New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to form the FRANZCOG.
1994 - Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (Hon)
1994 - Honorary Member of the Golden Key National Honour Society
1993 - The Australia Day Council of Western Australia Chair’s Award for achievement as an outstanding Australian
1993 - National Australia Day Council Award of Australian Achiever
1993 - Zonta International Woman of Achievement
1992 - Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Paul Harris Fellow, the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
1988 - WA Council of State Schools Organisations, Occasional Award for Services to Youth in WA
1988 - Zonta International (WA Clubs) Woman Achiever of the Year
1989-1991 - The Australian Mutual Provident Society Award for Research $75,000 per year for 3 years
1975 - NHMRC Fellowship in Clinical Science (to pursue Post Graduate studies in UK and USA)
1974 - WHO Fellowship: Teaching Seminar on Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Cancer Research at IARC, Lyon, France
1973 - WHO Fellowship: Teaching Seminar on Cardiovascular Epidemiology, France
School Project Information
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Fiona Stanley is a child health researcher and advocate for improving the health and wellbeing of children and families. Named Australian of the Year in 2003, Professor Stanley is the Founding Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia in Perth.
At the end of 2011, after more than 20 years in the job, Professor Fiona Stanley retired from the Director role at The Kids Research Institute Australia. Professor Stanley will remain an important member of staff at the Institute and will continue as Chief Investigator on a number of research grants and projects that have funding until the end of 2018.
While she trained and worked as a medical doctor, her move into research was prompted by a desire to prevent - rather than simply treat - many of the recurring conditions that she saw in children, particularly from disadvantaged environments.
Her research career has involved establishing a number of comprehensive data bases that track maternal, child and youth health and wellbeing. This has enabled her and her Institute colleagues to look at the causes and prevention of birth defects and major neurological and developmental disorders such as the cerebral palsies and neural tube defects - research that resulted in a world-first campaign to encourage women to take the vitamin folate prior to pregnancy.
With a commitment to improving health as a means to improving social justice, her team has been unpacking many of the social and economic influences that impact so strongly on child health and development. Professor Stanley is passionate about improving the life chances of Aboriginal people and stands strongly for reconciliation.