Anneka Bowman

Anneka Bowman is a Senior Research Fellow in Translational Research at the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Faculty of Health, University of Adelaide. She is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide and is registered to supervise postgraduate research. Her work is deeply rooted in improving maternal and perinatal outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through culturally safe, evidence-based translational research.

Education:

• PhD in Stillbirths in High-Income Countries: Lifestyle, Environmental and Sociodemographic Risk Factors, The University of Adelaide (2022)
• Master of Research Management and Commercialisation, Queensland University of Technology (2014)
• Bachelor of Health Science (Reproductive Health), The University of Adelaide (2010)

Research Interests: Anneka’s research focuses on stillbirth prevention, perinatal epidemiology, Indigenous health equity, cultural safety, and the development of national clinical guidelines. She employs mixed methods, including retrospective cohort studies, qualitative interviews, focus groups, and scoping reviews, to understand and address disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes among First Nations populations. Her work emphasizes community-led solutions and policy translation.

Research Trends: Her recent publications (2019–2025) show a strong focus on stillbirth risk factors, cultural adaptation of public health interventions, and the psychological and social dimensions of lateral violence in Indigenous youth. She contributes to high-impact journals in public health, psychology, and obstetrics, often in collaboration with national research consortia such as the Stillbirth CRE.

Scientific Engagement: Anneka has delivered multiple invited talks at national forums, including the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand and Red Nose Australia. She serves on the committee of Red Nose Australia and has presented on guideline development using the PICO framework. Her research has been widely disseminated, appearing in policy documents, news outlets, Wikipedia, and social media.

Advising and Grants: She is registered to supervise postgraduate students. While specific grant details are not listed, her involvement in national guideline development and research consortia suggests active participation in funded research projects. Her work contributes directly to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and well-being.

Labs and Teams: Anneka is a key member of the Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights and contributes to the Stillbirth CRE (Collaborative Research Excellence). She works within the RISE SAFELY framework and is developing the first Australian First Nations Evaluation framework for training and service redesign based on SAFELY principles.