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 200 active research projects and 700 staff and students that include laboratory scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, public health professionals and social scientists.
Our research is structured into Research Focus Areas, 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 our new 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.
Indigenous Guidelines Standards
Research impact
We're moving to our new home
Check out our study websites
New coalition to end rheumatic heart disease once and for all
Vitamin D deficiency linked to childhood asthma
Latest reports & findings
Knowledge is Power: Trans Young People’s Perceptions of Parental Reactions to Their Gender Identity, and Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Parental Support
Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth, however, most experience unsupportive parental attitudes. We aimed to better understand how youth perceive parental reactions to their gender identity disclosure and what they consider to be barriers to, and facilitators of, support.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthParental Challenges, Facilitators and Needs Associated with Supporting and Accepting Their Trans Child’s Gender
Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth yet most experience parental rejection or ambivalence regarding their gender. Many parents report a desire to support their child but indicate lack of understanding and support as key barriers. We aimed to develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges and facilitators experienced by Australian parents in developing understanding, support and acceptance of their child’s gender and their needs to do so.
Published research Bullying Gender Diversity Youth Mental Health Youth mental healthThe Relationship Between Traditional and Cyber Bullying Victimization in Early Adolescence and Emotional Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study
Despite the wealth of knowledge about the impact of bullying victimization, information gaps exist about how traditional and cyber bullying in early adolescence is associated with emotional wellbeing, namely, indicators of positive wellbeing.
Published research Bullying Early Childhood DevelopmentMandatory fortification with folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects: a case study of Australia and New Zealand
To present a case study of the considerations of mandatory fortification with folic acid in Australia and New Zealand.
Published research Child Disability Child disabilityResearch focus areas
Research focus area 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
Deborah Strickland
Program Head, Immunobiology and Immunotherapeutic Program
PhD