In our first episode of our Impact Stories series, a Healthy Trajectories podcast, our Director, Professor Christine Imms speaks with Dr. Rose Babic about her journey as a parent partner in research and her experiences along the way.

Rose is the mother of two sons. Her older son, Eric, was diagnosed with complex disability when he was four and a half months of age. That experience led Rose into research. She began working with researchers to make sure disability services and support better met the needs of children and their families.

Rose wanted families like hers to be recognised and heard. What started as sharing her own story, became a close partnership with researchers. She has helped design, implement, and translate research that reflects what matters most to children and families.

As a founding parent partner of the ENVISAGE program, Rose has championed the idea that families are experts in their child’s life and should be genuine partners in research and decision-making. In this conversation, she talks about the importance of bringing “more than my voice” to research, representing the perspectives, hopes, challenges, and expertise of many families navigating similar experiences.

Through her work, Rose Babic has promoted authentic partnerships between researchers and families, encouraging researchers to listen to diverse lived experiences and turn those insights into meaningful change. In recognition of her significant contributions to paediatric disability research, family-centred practice, and advocacy, Rose was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2026.

>> Listen to the podcast here.