Empowering Nursing and Midwifery Researchers in Australia

A groundbreaking new roadmap has been launched to empower early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) in nursing and midwifery, aiming to eliminate long-standing career barriers and accelerate healthcare innovation across Australia.

Developed by leading Australian Catholic University (ACU) researchers Dr. Nicola Straiton and Professor Sandy Middleton, in collaboration with the SPHERE Nursing and Midwifery Implementation Science Academy EMCR group, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery EMCR Advocacy Roadmap addresses the critical challenges that researchers face in the first 10 years following a PhD.

Funded by a grant from the Australian Academy of Science, the roadmap was shaped by extensive input from over 100 stakeholders, including EMCRs, clinical leaders, policymakers, and consumers. It offers a strategic framework to enhance collaboration, provide structural support, and promote research-led improvements in patient care and workforce development.

Dr. Straiton emphasized the pivotal role nurses and midwives play in shaping healthcare through evidence-based research, but noted that many EMCRs struggle with limited recognition, inadequate funding, and unclear career pathways.

“These professionals are the backbone of our health system, yet they often lack the structural support necessary to integrate research into clinical settings,” she said.

Professor Middleton highlighted that while nurses and midwives represent nearly half the global healthcare workforce, less than five percent of Australia’s national competitive research funding is allocated to projects led by nursing and midwifery professionals.

“This lack of investment and recognition not only stifles innovation but contributes to burnout and the loss of valuable expertise,” she said. “The roadmap urges national action—calling on organisations, funders, and policymakers to adopt its recommendations to create a sustainable future for nursing and midwifery research.

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