At the Telethon Kids Institute our researchers are searching for answers to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families affected by some of the most devastating, complex and common diseases and issues. At any one time we have more than 800 active research projects and 1400 staff and students that include laboratory scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, public health professionals and social scientists.
Our research is structured into Research Themes, programs of work and teams. We are committed to collaboration and work together with other research organisations, clinicians, practitioners, policy makers, consumers and the community to understand the complexity of factors that impact on a child's health and wellbeing and the translation of research findings into action. We actively reward research excellence and offer a range of schemes to support our researchers.
In August 2018, we moved to a purpose-built facility located within Perth Children’s Hospital on the QEII Medical Centre campus - the largest centre of excellence in healthcare, research and education in the southern hemisphere. With a footprint across seven floors, our new home features more than 7000sqm of work space and 2000sqm of laboratories (including specialty suites, equipment rooms and freezer farms), as well as dedicated clinical suites and a cryogenics facility. Our co-location with the Perth Children’s Hospital will enhance our collaboration with clinicians, nursing staff and other allied health professionals, leading to better care, better treatments and better health and development outcomes for our children and young people.
We are an independent medical research institute based in Perth, Western Australia and affiliated with the State's major universities. Our research is primarily funded through national and international competitive grants and generously supported by donors and governments.
Aboriginal Guidelines Standards
Latest reports & findings
Introducing the Cochrane Nutrition & Physical Activity Thematic Group
Improving nutrition and physical activity is a global health priority. Within Cochrane’s new production model, Thematic Groups (TG) with specialist content and review methods expertise have been established. The purpose of TGs is to support the development and dissemination of high-quality evidence syntheses on priority issues.
Published research Nutrition Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Physical activityA systematic search and narrative review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men pelvic health care: demonstrated need for improvement
Pelvic health conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men are under-recognised and under-reported despite indication of the significant burden of these conditions. Access to effective management provided in a culturally safe manner appears lacking.
Published research Aboriginal Health Youth Mental HealthOrganizational readiness and implementation fidelity of an early childhood education and care-specific physical activity policy intervention: findings from the Play Active trial
Many children do not accumulate sufficient physical activity for good health and development at early childhood education and care (ECEC). This study examined the association between ECEC organizational readiness and implementation fidelity of an ECEC-specific physical activity policy intervention.
Published research Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Physical activity Child careHead-to-Head Comparison Between Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Human Metapneumovirus Bronchiolitis in the Setting of Increased Viral Testing
We compared the epidemiology, severity and management of hospitalized respiratory syncytial virus (n = 305) and human metapneumovirus (n = 39) bronchiolitis in a setting with high respiratory virus testing (95% of admissions tested). Respiratory syncytial virus-positive infants were younger and tended to require more hydration support and longer hospital stays compared to human metapneumovirus-positive infants. Respiratory support requirements were similar between groups despite significant age differences.
Published research Infectious Diseases Infectious Disease Implementation Research Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Respiratory viral infectionsResearch themes
Research theme leaders
Associate Professor Glenn Pearson
Director of First Nations Strategy and Leadership
BA (Education) PhD Candidate
Professor Ben Jackson
Research Theme Head, Brain and Behaviour
BSc (Hons) PhD
Liz Davis
Head, Chronic & Severe Diseases Research Focus Area; Clinical Lead, Diabetes and Obesity Research
MBBS FRACP PhD
Professor Jane Pillow
Research Theme Head, Early Environment; Team Lead, Chronobiology
BMedSci (Dist) MBBS, PhD (Dist) FRACP