School of Medical and Health Sciences

Associate Professor Therese O’Sullivan

Therese is the Discipline Lead of Nutrition and Dietetics, overseeing departmental operations and course accreditation, teaching in research units, and supervising higher degree students. Her research focuses on breastfeeding support, child and family-centred care, and respectful and collaborative approaches to mealtimes and caregiving with young children.

Current Teaching

• NUT6100 Nutrition Research Skills
• NUT6103 Nutrition Research Project

Background

• Clinical Dietitian, Private Practice, QLD 2003-2007
• Senior Research Fellow, Telethon Kids Institute, WA 2007-2010

Professional Associations

• Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia
• Nutrition Society of Australia
• International Network for Child and Family Centred Care

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

• Nutrition Society of Australia - Mid-career Researcher Award (excellence in nutrition research) (2023)
• Australian Nutrition Trust Fund and Nutrition Society of Australia - Mid-career Development Award (2021)
• Science on the Swan – Award for best poster and accompanying oral presentation (2021)
• Dietitians Association of Australia National Award of Merit (for contribution to dietetics) 2011
• Dietitians Association of Australia Emerging Researcher Award 2010.

University and National Teaching Awards

• Edith Cowan University Minute to Pitch it runner up 2016
• Edith Cowan University Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research by an Early Career Researcher 2015
• Edith Cowan University Research in a Nutshell runner up 2013

National and International Research Positions

• Perth Children's Hospital Foundation - Scientific Advisory Committee, 2024 - ongoing
  • Inaugural member, review and analysis of research program applications
• Bright Tomorrows - Expert Advisory Panel, 2024 – ongoing
  • Providing expert opinion on project development
• Council of Deans of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2020 - ongoing
  • Strategic planning for the future of nutrition and dietetics education and research
• Academy of Science's National Committee for Nutrition, 2023 - ongoing
  • Strategic guidance for the future of nutritional science in Australia, ex-officio Council of Deans representative
• Raine Study - Scientific Advisory Committee, 2024 - ongoing
  • Reviews of scientific projects and science strategy
• International Family and Child Centred Care Network, 2019 - ongoing
  • Co-led international project into children's experiences of COVID-19 (across 17 countries)
• Raine Study - Diet Special Interest Group co-lead, 2016 - ongoing
  • Advice around nutrition projects and use of dietary data

Other

• Famelab WA state finalist 2014 (communication of science research)

Research Areas and Interests

• Breastfeeding
• Early infant feeding
• Childhood nutrition and meal environments
• The Nutrition Care Process
• Teaching and innovation in dietetics

The Happy Parenting Program: Respectful parent–child relationships and development of a healthy relationship with food

The Happy Parenting Program supports parents in building respectful and collaborative relationships with young children, focusing on mealtimes and everyday caregiving. Drawing on principles from Resources for Infant Educators, the program emphasises sensitive observation, authentic communication, and involving children meaningfully in routines. Delivered through practical workshops, early findings show that participation reduces parental stress and increases confidence in caregiving, while promoting positive mealtime interactions linked to improved child nutrition and well-being (mforum.com.au).

The ACE Study: Antenatal colostrum expression in first-time mothers

Despite the widespread initiation of breastfeeding in Australian hospitals, many babies still receive formula supplementation during the birth hospitalisation. The ACE Study has been designed as the first large-scale investigation of antenatal colostrum expression (ACE) in a non-diabetic, first-time mother population. Employing a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial across multiple Western Australian hospitals, the study compares standard care with two forms of ACE instruction (a midwife-led session or an online resource) with the aim of improving exclusive breastfeeding rates at four months postpartum.

Key research questions include whether ACE improves breastfeeding outcomes, reduces formula use in the initial hospital stay or alters postnatal colostrum composition. Notably, preliminary evaluation of the ACE online resource found it significantly improved pregnant individuals’ knowledge and self-reported confidence in hand expressing colostrum.

The Milky Way Study: Either whole fat or reduced fat dairy is ok for children

As seen on Channel 7 news: au.news.yahoo.com/telethon-study-to-determine-full-fat-or-low-fat-dairy-for-kids-32508240.html

Dietary guidelines recommend that children over the age of 2 years consume reduced-fat dairy products rather than regular-fat dairy. However, emerging research suggests regular-fat dairy could have potential health benefits. The Milky Way Study investigated the effects of regular-fat compared with reduced-fat dairy intake on children’s adiposity, cardiometabolic risk, and gut health. Findings from the randomised controlled trial showed that switching to reduced-fat dairy did not reduce adiposity or improve cardiometabolic risk markers compared with continuing regular-fat dairy.

Child-Centred Research: A Respectful Approach to research with children

Ideally, participating in dietary trials should be an enjoyable experience for children. However, some assessments, such as blood sampling, can be unpleasant and stressful. To help generate guidelines for child-centred research, we investigated principles from childcare specialist Magda Gerber's Resources for Infant Educators, consulted with parents in focus groups and liaised with parenting experts. We identified principles that can be used to guide research with children, including the use of authentic communication, acknowledging emotions, and inviting participation. Building on this, a collaboration with nursing colleagues has resulted in a checklist tool to embed child-centredness in research processes.