Stacy Blythe

Dr. Stacy Blythe is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University and a Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. She serves as Deputy Director of the Translational Research and Social Innovation (TReSI) group at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research. Dr. Blythe is also a Board Member of the International Foster Care Organisation (since 2019) and the Hawkesbury Foundation (since 2016).

Dr. Blythe's educational background includes:

• PhD from the University of Western Sydney (2013)
• Master of Business Administration (2020)
• Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma (2018)
• Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (2016)
• Bachelor of Nursing (Honors I) (2009)
• Bachelor of Nursing (Distinction) (2003)

Her research focuses on the health and well-being of children in out-of-home care and their families, with particular expertise in infant mental health and prenatal substance exposure. Dr. Blythe combines her professional qualifications as a nurse and researcher with her 17+ years of personal experience as an authorized foster carer. This unique perspective allows her to develop research that directly addresses the real-world challenges faced by children in care and their caregivers. Her work spans multiple disciplines including child welfare, psychology, nursing, and cultural studies, with a strong emphasis on translating research into practical applications through the TReSI group.

Dr. Blythe's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate continued scholarly productivity with a focus on cultural identity for children in care, foster care models, infant mental health, and innovative approaches to supporting vulnerable children and families. Her work shows a clear trajectory toward addressing systemic gaps in child welfare systems while centering the experiences and needs of children and caregivers.

Dr. Blythe's scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards including the UWS Medal for Bachelor of Nursing (Hons), multiple Blacktown City Scholarships, and the Vice Chancellor's Excellence Award for Excellence in University Engagement and Sustainability. She has received Dean's Merit List Awards from Western Sydney University's School of Business for three consecutive years (2018-2020).

• Best Presentation UWS College of Health and Science Research Futures Forum (2011)
• Research Training Scheme Scholarship (2009)
• Scholarly Productivity and Academic Development Grant (2008)
• UWS Medal - Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) (2009)
• Nomination for Australian of the Year (2016)
• Western Sydney University Dean's Merit List Awards (2018-2020)
• Vice Chancellor's Excellence Award for Excellence in University Engagement and Sustainability (2018)

As an active researcher and supervisor, Dr. Blythe provides guidance to undergraduate honours and higher degree research students. Her Translational Research and Social Innovation (TReSI) group serves as a hub for collaborative research that bridges academic findings with practical applications in child welfare systems. Dr. Blythe also draws on her extensive experience to provide specialized training for healthcare workers, social service providers, educators, and foster/kinship carers on working with children who have experienced trauma or prenatal substance exposure.

Dr. Blythe leads the Translational Research and Social Innovation (TReSI) group at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research. This interdisciplinary team focuses on translating research findings into practical interventions that improve outcomes for children in out-of-home care and their families. The group's work spans multiple domains including policy analysis, caregiver support systems, cultural identity preservation, and innovative approaches to addressing the complex needs of vulnerable children.