The Centre of Research Excellence Australasian Cerebral Palsy Health Network (CRE Aus-CP-Health-Net) is dedicated to transforming health outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
Aus‑CP‑Health‑Net is a translational research and implementation network focused on improving health, function, participation, and long‑term outcomes for young people with cerebral palsy (CP). The Centre is a $3 million world-leading multi-institutional collaboration funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia from 2025 – 2030 (Grant ID 2044700).
Our vision
Young people with CP achieve optimal physical and mental health and meaningful lifelong participation
Our mission
Expand the evidence‑base of effective interventions and embed them into routine practice by empowering clinicians and caregivers with high‑quality evidence and training.
Our aims:
- Optimise health and wellbeing
- Build community capacity
- Generate and translate knowledge
- Empower clinicians and caregivers
- Address complex health challenges
- Personalise care
- Foster multidisciplinary collaboration
Our research focus
The Australasian Cerebral Palsy Health Network (Aus-CP-Health-Net) leads world-class research to transform health outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
Our work spans five key areas:
1. Early Detection and Intervention: We have revolutionised early diagnosis, reducing the age of identification to under six months, and developed and proven early interventions such as LEAP, REACH and HABIT-ILE to optimise motor and cognitive development.
2. Intensive Neurorehabilitation and Physical Activity: Through more than 50 randomised controlled trials, we have established evidence-based programs like ACTIVE STRIDES, ACTIVE START and Frame Running to improve mobility, fitness, and participation for children and adolescents.
3. Mental Health and Sleep: Our research addresses critical challenges of pain, sleep disorders, and mental health, delivering innovative therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for parents and adolescents, along with tailored sleep interventions.
4. Precision Medicine and Biomarkers: We are advancing personalised care through cutting-edge neuroimaging, genomics, and artificial intelligence, enabling earlier prediction of outcomes and tailoring interventions to individual needs.
5. Implementation and Translation: Beyond discovery, we focus on translating evidence into practice through clinician training, digital health tools, and policy engagement, ensuring equitable access to high-quality care across Australia and globally.
Our centre is proud to partner with many organisations in undertaking our 5-year research program. The Centre for Research Excellence: Australasian Cerebral Palsy Health Network (Aus-CP-Health-Net) combines leading research centres from throughout Australia and New Zealand. Together, we will conduct world standard, multisite, clinical trials to improve early detection and determine the best interventions and treatments for children with cerebral palsy.
Chief investigators
- Professor Leanne Sakzewski
- Professor Roslyn N Boyd
- Associate Professor Zephanie Tyack
- Professor Steven McPhail
- Associate Professor Koa Whittingham
- Adjunct Professor Sarah McIntyre
- Professor Jozef Gecz
- Dr Kerstin Pannek
- Dr Gulam Khandaker
- Associate Professor Jasneek Chawla
Associate investigators
- Dr Fiona Russo
- Dr Kath Benfer
- Professor Robert Ware
- Dr Michelle Jackman
- Dr Jurgen Fripp
- Associate Professor Marlien Varnfield
- Dr Sarah Reedman
- Professor Thelma Parker
- Mrs Rachel Byrne
- Dr Dayna Pool
Clinical Care and Associate Research Network
Early and mid-career researchers
- Dr Dayna Pool
- Dr Michelle Jackman
- Dr Sarah Reedman
- Dr Stina Oftedal
- Dr Syed Afroz Keramat
- Dr Rachel Toovey
- Dr Ellen Armstrong
- Dr Fiona Russo
- Dr Andrea Burgess
- Dr Laura Bentley
- Dr Gaela Kilgour
- Dr Carly Luke
- Dr Eloise Hummel
- Dr Jacqui Barfoot
- Dr Grace Kirby
- Dr Alex Pagnozzi
- Dr Shona Goldsmith
- Dr Saba M-Faroushi
PhD students
- Kaely Bastock
- Ms Adele Fahey
- Ms Suzanne Smith
- Tommaso Biagioni
- Linda Bonezzi
- Ms Deborah Ebert
- Ms Anya Gordon
- Ms Karen Hanna
- Lisa Hong
- Simone Martin
- Ms Madeline Mayberry
- Ms Andrea McGlade
- Ms Kate McLeod
- Ms Leeann Mick-Ramsamy
- Ms Kristy Nicholls
- Ms Bianca Thompson
Our Partners
Cerebral Palsy Treatment Guides
The Cerebral Palsy Treatment Guides have been developed for people living with cerebral palsy, parents, carers, allied health and medical practitioners. Each guide provides information based on the latest research evidence from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research and across the world, about the most effective interventions.
You can access the guides on the Cerebral Palsy Alliance website.
Publications
Plain Language Summaries
Helping Kids with Cerebral Palsy - What we learned from the HABIT-ILE Study
Participate-CP Parent/Carer Summary
Funded PhD Opportunities in Cerebral Palsy Research at the University of Queensland
Co-designing Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes for Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy
Work alongside adolescents with cerebral palsy, families and clinicians to co-design research that improves mental health and wellbeing outcomes. This project aligns with the CRE's focus on addressing critical mental health challenges and delivering meaningful, person-centred care.
Rest and Relief: Understanding and Improving Sleep and Pain in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Investigate the complex relationship between sleep, pain and wellbeing in children with cerebral palsy, with the goal of developing innovative interventions that improve everyday health and quality of life. This research contributes directly to the CRE's priority area of mental health, sleep and pain.
Get in touch to learn more about our research.
AusCPHealthNet Manager
61 7 34436403 auscphealthnet@uq.edu.au
Stay informed with CRE progress by joining our e-newsletter mailing list, or get involved with the CRE by joining one of our networks (researchers, clinicians, consumers)
Child Health Research Centre
Level 6, 62 Graham Street
South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia