ProfessorElizabeth Elliott

Examples of current projects

FASD Research Australia NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (2026-2030). This is an Australian-led, international collaboration in FASD research and translation, bringing together experts across epidemiology, implementation science, health economics, Indigenous research, policy development and paediatrics. It fills knowledge gaps about the epidemiology, burden and costs of FASD and conducts high‑impact studies that translate directly into better outcomes for individuals and families with FASD. 

FASD Hub Australia - a repository for predominantly Australian, evidence-based resources on alcohol use in pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). These include information on FASD and its prevention, diagnosis and treatment; references to Australian research; the Australian Guide to Diagnosis and e-learning modules; a service directory; and educational webinars. The target audience is health professionals, researchers and policy-makers. Australian government Department of Health funded.

The Bigiswun Kid (adolescent) Project - a 10-year follow up of the Lililwan ('all the little ones') cohort, a population-based sample of Aboriginal children originally seen in the very remote Fitzroy Valley of Western Australia at age 7-9years. The aim of the project is to evaluate adolescent health and well-being using child and parent interviews, standardised assessment, data linkage and education, justice and child protection data. The project was initiated by and is a partnership with Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre in Fitzroy Crossing. Funded by the Ian Potter Foundation, Wetpac, University of Sydney, Healthway WA.

Marrura-U project - review of international models of care for rural-remote Indigenous children aged up to 12 year; and development and evaluation of a wrap-around model of care for the Fitzroy Valley. A partnership between USyd, Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre Fitzroy Crossing, and Royal Far West. Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

FASD Australia Registry - national prospective, monthly surveillance by the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit with reporting from paediatricians of new (incident) cases of FASD diagnosed in the previous month and provisions of demographic and clinical data. Enables description of the epidemiology of FASD and trends in patterns and distribution of disease. FUnded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit celebrates its 30th year in 2023. The unit facilitates surveilland for and research into a range of rare childhood conditions including rare genetic disorders, rare injuries, rare infections and rare complications of disease or adverse effects of medication. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

FASD NSW Assessment Service - development of a statewide model for assessment and diagnosis of FASD; education; and capacity-building of clinicians. In this project we are establishing partnershipw with specialised services including the Substance Use in Pregnancy and PArenting (SUPPS) service; Elver out-of-home care service; juvenille justice and the Koori court; justice health; the National Organisation for FASD; and the Healthy Communities Foundation. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

Cannabinoid (CBD) for children with intellectual disability and severe behavioural problems - This is a multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial (Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Children's Hospital Westmean, and Monash University) evaluationg the impact of CBD on behaviour. Funded by the Medical Research Futures Foundation.

Cerebral palsy (CP) in Vietnam - the first study of the characteristics of CP in Vietnamese children. Data derive from a large cohort of children (>700) identified through active hospital-based surveillance in Ha Noi and stored in a CP Registry. Additional projects include early identification of CP, training on CP for parents and carers, neuroimaging in CP and nutrition in CP. Funded by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Immunisation rates in childre with disability - this project will be conducted in Vietnam in collaboration with Phinakaa Hospital and the National Centre for Immunisation Research in Australia and is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.