Overview
Background
Dr Harriet Lawford is an experienced infectious diseases field epidemiologist specialising in malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. She currently serves as a Research Fellow in the Operational Research and Decision Support for Infectious Diseases (ODeSI) team where she leads efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis — a rare but debilitating infectious diseases — in the Pacific Islands.
With extensive global health experience in sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia, Dr Lawford has played a pivotal role in informing strategies for tropical disease control. Her work includes initiatives such as neurodevelopmental assessment in newborns exposed to malaria in pregnancy and interventions to reduce global stillbirth rates.
Dr Lawford holds a PhD in Epidemiology from UQ and a Master's in the Control of Infectious Disease Control from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her research is widely cited, reflecting her significant contributions to the field. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of global health epidemiologists and researchers.
Availability
- Dr Harriet Lawford is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Biology, Durham University
- Masters (Research) of Tropical Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Harriet Lawford’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Persistent lymphatic filariasis transmission seven years after validation of elimination as a public health problem: a cross-sectional study in Tonga
Lawford, Harriet L.S., Tukia, ‘Ofa, Takai, Joseph, Sheridan, Sarah, Ward, Selina, Jian, Holly, Martin, Beatris Mario, ‘Ofanoa, Reynold and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Persistent lymphatic filariasis transmission seven years after validation of elimination as a public health problem: a cross-sectional study in Tonga. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 57 101513, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101513
2025
Journal Article
Integrated Serosurveillance of Infectious Diseases Using Multiplex Bead Assays: A Systematic Review
Ward, Selina, Lawford, Harriet L. S., Sartorius, Benn and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Integrated Serosurveillance of Infectious Diseases Using Multiplex Bead Assays: A Systematic Review. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 10 (1) 19, 1-20. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed10010019
2024
Journal Article
Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol
Craig, Adam T., Lawford, Harriet, Viali, Satupaitea, Tuitama, George and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol. PLoS One, 19 (12) e0313957, 1-9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313957
2024
Journal Article
Investigating behaviours and attitudes regarding recommended vaccination in adults 50 years and above in Australia
Dyda, Amalie, Lawford, Harriet, Lau, Colleen L. and Sampson, Kim (2024). Investigating behaviours and attitudes regarding recommended vaccination in adults 50 years and above in Australia. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 30 (6) PY24055, 1-9. doi: 10.1071/PY24055
2024
Journal Article
Operational research to inform post-validation surveillance of lymphatic filariasis in Tonga study protocol: history of lymphatic filariasis elimination, rational, objectives, and design
Lawford, Harriet, Tukia, Ofa, Takai, Joseph, Sheridan, Sarah and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Operational research to inform post-validation surveillance of lymphatic filariasis in Tonga study protocol: history of lymphatic filariasis elimination, rational, objectives, and design. PLoS One, 19 (8) e0307331, 1-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307331
2024
Other Outputs
Integrated serosurveillance of infectious diseases using multiplex bead assays: A systematic review
Ward, Selina, Lawford, Harriet, Sartorius, Benn and Lau, Colleen (2024). Integrated serosurveillance of infectious diseases using multiplex bead assays: A systematic review. Middletown, DE United States: INPLASY: International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols. doi: 10.37766/inplasy2024.4.0094
2023
Journal Article
Ending preventable stillbirths and improving bereavement care: a scorecard for high- and upper-middle income countries
de Graaff, Esti Charlotte, Leisher, Susannah Hopkins, Blencowe, Hannah, Lawford, Harriet, Cassidy, Jillian, Cassidy, Paul Richard, Draper, Elizabeth S., Heazell, Alexander E. P., Kinney, Mary, Quigley, Paula, Ravaldi, Claudia, Storey, Claire, Vannacci, Alfredo, Corcoran, Paul, Cronin, Robin, Erwich, Jan Jaap, Gissler, Mika, Gordijn, Sanne, de Jesús, Guilherme Ramires, Klimont, Jeannette, Lecomte, Aline, Loghi, Marzia, Murphy, Margaret, Rodin, Urelija, Weber, Guy, Wimmer, Lindsey and Flenady, Vicki (2023). Ending preventable stillbirths and improving bereavement care: a scorecard for high- and upper-middle income countries. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23 (1) 480, 480. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05765-5
2023
Journal Article
Small babies, big risks: global estimates of prevalence and mortality for vulnerable newborns to accelerate change and improve counting
Lawn, Joy E, Ohuma, Eric O, Bradley, Ellen, Okwaraji, Yemisrach B, Yargawa, Judith, Blencowe, Hannah, Idueta, Lorena Suárez, Hazel, Elizabeth, Erchick, Daniel J, Katz, Joanne, Diaz, Mike, Black, Robert E, Lee, Anne C C, Salasibew, Mihretab, Requejo, Jennifer, Hayashi, Chika, Moller, Ann-Beth, Borghi, Elaine, Ashorn, Per, Black, Robert E, Lawn, Joy E, Ashorn, Ulla, Klein, Nigel, Hofmeyr, G Justus, Temmerman, Marleen, Askari, Sufia, Ohuma, Eric O, Moller, Ann-Beth, Bradley, Ellen ... Prendergast, Andrew (2023). Small babies, big risks: global estimates of prevalence and mortality for vulnerable newborns to accelerate change and improve counting. The Lancet, 401 (10389), 1707-1719. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00522-6
2023
Journal Article
Neonatal mortality risk for vulnerable newborn types in 15 countries using 125.5 million nationwide birth outcome records, 2000–2020
Suárez‐Idueta, Lorena, Blencowe, Hannah, Okwaraji, Yemisrach B., Yargawa, Judith, Bradley, Ellen, Gordon, Adrienne, Flenady, Vicki, Paixao, Enny S., Barreto, Mauricio L., Lisonkova, Sarka, Wen, Qi, Velebil, Petr, Jírová, Jitka, Horváth‐Puhó, Erzsebet, Sørensen, Henrik Toft, Sakkeus, Luule, Abuladze, Liili, Yunis, Khalid A., Al Bizri, Ayah, Barranco, Arturo, Broeders, Lisa, van Dijk, Aimée E., Alyafei, Fawziya, Olukade, Tawa O., Razaz, Neda, Söderling, Jonas, Smith, Lucy K., Draper, Elizabeth S., Lowry, Estelle ... the National Vulnerable Newborn Mortality Collaborative Group and Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Core Group (2023). Neonatal mortality risk for vulnerable newborn types in 15 countries using 125.5 million nationwide birth outcome records, 2000–2020. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17506
2023
Journal Article
My Baby's Movements: an assessment of the effectiveness of the My Baby's Movements phone program in reducing late‐gestation stillbirth rates
Skalecki, Sarah, Lawford, Harriet, Gardener, Glenn, Coory, Michael, Bradford, Billie, Warrilow, Kara, Wojcieszek, Aleena M., Newth, Tionie, Weller, Megan, Said, Joanne M., Boyle, Fran M., East, Christine, Gordon, Adrienne, Middleton, Philippa, Ellwood, David and Flenady, Vicki (2023). My Baby's Movements: an assessment of the effectiveness of the My Baby's Movements phone program in reducing late‐gestation stillbirth rates. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 63 (3), 378-383. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13647
2023
Journal Article
Vulnerable newborn types: Analysis of population-based registries for 165 million births in 23 countries, 2000–2021
Suárez-Idueta, Lorena, Yargawa, Judith, Blencowe, Hannah, Bradley, Ellen, Okwaraji, Yemisrach B., Pingray, Veronica, Gibbons, Luz, Gordon, Adrienne, Warrilow, Kara, Paixao, Enny S., Falcão, Ila Rocha, Lisonkova, Sarka, Wen, Qi, Mardones, Francisco, Caulier-Cisterna, Raúl, Velebil, Petr, Jírová, Jitka, Horváth-Puhó, Erzsebet, Sørensen, Henrik Toft, Sakkeus, Luule, Abuladze, Lili, Gissler, Mika, Heidarzadeh, Mohammad, Moradi-Lakeh, Maziar, Yunis, Khalid A., Al Bizri, Ayah, Karalasingam, Shamala D., Jeganathan, Ravichandran, Barranco, Arturo ... Lee, Anne C. C. (2023). Vulnerable newborn types: Analysis of population-based registries for 165 million births in 23 countries, 2000–2021. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17505
2022
Journal Article
Family involvement in the routine care of hospitalized preterm or low birth weight infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis
North, Krysten, Whelan, Rachel, Folger, Lian V., Lawford, Harriet, Olson, Ingrid, Driker, Sophie, Bass, Michelle B., Edmond, Karen and Lee, Anne C. C. (2022). Family involvement in the routine care of hospitalized preterm or low birth weight infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 150 (Supplement 1) e2022057092O. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-057092O
2022
Journal Article
Acoustic cry characteristics of infants as a marker of neurological dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lawford, Harriet L.S., Sazon, Hannah, Richard, Celine, Robb, Michael P. and Bora, Samudragupta (2022). Acoustic cry characteristics of infants as a marker of neurological dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatric Neurology, 129, 72-79. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.10.017
2022
Journal Article
My baby's movements: a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial of a fetal movement awareness intervention to reduce stillbirths
Flenady, V., Gardener, G., Ellwood, D., Coory, M., Weller, M., Warrilow, K. A., Middleton, P. F., Wojcieszek, A. M., Groom, K. M., Boyle, F. M., East, C., Lawford, H. L.S., Callander, E., Said, J. M., Walker, S. P., Mahomed, K., Andrews, C., Gordon, A., Norman, J. E. and Crowther, C. (2022). My baby's movements: a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial of a fetal movement awareness intervention to reduce stillbirths. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, 77 (3), 137-139. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000001018
2022
Journal Article
My Baby’s Movements: a stepped‐wedge cluster‐randomised controlled trial of a fetal movement awareness intervention to reduce stillbirths
Flenady, V., Gardener, G., Ellwood, D., Coory, M., Weller, M., Warrilow, K.A., Middleton, P.F., Wojcieszek, A.M., Groom, K.M., Boyle, F.M., East, C., Lawford, H.L.S., Callandar, E., Said, J.M., Walker, S.P., Mahomed, K., Andrews, C., Gordon, A., Norman, J.E. and Crowther, C. (2022). My Baby’s Movements: a stepped‐wedge cluster‐randomised controlled trial of a fetal movement awareness intervention to reduce stillbirths. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 129 (1), 29-41. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.16944
2021
Journal Article
Associations between malaria in pregnancy and neonatal neurological outcomes
Lawford, Harriet L. S., Nuamah, Mercy A., Liley, Helen G., Griffin, Alison, Lekpor, Cecilia E., Botchway, Felix, Oppong, Samuel A., Samba, Ali, Badoe, Ebenezer V., Kumar, Sailesh, Lee, Anne C. C., Gyasi, Richard K., Adjei, Andrew A. and Bora, Samudragupta (2021). Associations between malaria in pregnancy and neonatal neurological outcomes. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 112, 144-151. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.037
2021
Other Outputs
IMPRINT: the impact of malaria in pregnancy on infant neurodevelopment
Lawford, Harriet (2021). IMPRINT: the impact of malaria in pregnancy on infant neurodevelopment. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/bbd718a
2021
Journal Article
Making every birth count: Outcomes of a perinatal mortality audit program
Flenady, Vicki, Kettle, Imogen, Laporte, Johanna, Birthisel, Deborah, Hardiman, Leah, Matsika, Admire, Whelan, Nikki, Lehner, Christoph, Payton, Diane, Utz, Miles, Wojcieszek, Aleena M., Lawford, Harriet, Walsh, Teresa and Ellwood, David (2021). Making every birth count: Outcomes of a perinatal mortality audit program. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 61 (4), 540-547. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13325
2021
Journal Article
Gestational age-specific distribution of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination scores among low-risk neonates in Ghana
Lawford, Harriet L.S., Nuamah, Mercy A., Liley, Helen G., Lee, Anne CC, Botchway, Felix, Kumar, Sailesh, Adjei, Andrew A. and Bora, Samudragupta (2021). Gestational age-specific distribution of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination scores among low-risk neonates in Ghana. Early Human Development, 152 105133, 105133. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105133
2020
Journal Article
Neonatal neurological examination in a resource-limited setting: what defines normal?
Lawford, Harriet L.S., Nuamah, Mercy A., Liley, Helen G., Lee, Anne C. C., Kumar, Sailesh, Adjei, Andrew A., Bora, Samudragupta and IMPRINT Study Group (2020). Neonatal neurological examination in a resource-limited setting: what defines normal?. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 29, 71-80. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.08.010
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Harriet Lawford is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Surveillance of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Benn Sartorius, Professor Colleen Lau
Media
Enquiries
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