Alka Kothari

Associate Professor Alka Kothari is a clinician-researcher, educator, and consumer advocate, serving as Senior Staff Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Metro North Clinician Researcher Fellow, Associate Professor and Deputy Head at Redcliffe Hospital, and Deputy Head of Learning Community (Year 3) in the Northside Clinical Unit, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland. Her PhD, Forgotten Fathers: The Role of Men in the Journey Through Pregnancy and Birth, examined the often-overlooked experiences of fathers during pregnancy and birth, particularly in the context of birth trauma. Through her Metro North Health Clinician Researcher Fellowship, she developed Best Practice Principles (BPPs) to support fathers, non-birthing parents, and families affected by pregnancy and birth trauma, and is now co-developing targeted, compassion-focused interventions. Her next phase of work focuses on evaluating the implementation of these BPPs and advancing the nationwide integration of inclusive perinatal healthcare.

She is recognised as a national expert in birth trauma, with contributions to the 2023 NSW Parliament Select Committee on Birth Trauma and national policy roundtables. Her PhD work and recommendations has been included in the Birth Trauma inquiry submission, underscoring the relevance and impact of her research. Her research has also been widely cited in national and international policy documents and clinical guidelines.

She has secured $8.6 million in total grant funding, including NHMRC Ideas and MRFF grants, alongside $100,000 in philanthropic support and several additional competitive grants. Her work has been recognised through numerous awards including the Best Oral Presentation in Perinatal Mental Health at the RCOG World Congress (2019), the Women in Technology Award for Lifting Communities (2024), a commendation for UQ’s Innovators of the Year award (2024), and a community nomination for Australian of the Year (2025), as well as multiple research, leadership, and teaching awards across Metro North Health.

Associate Professor Kothari is a passionate advocate for fathers and provides expert guidance and support to several non-government fatherhood organisations nationally. She also serves as a media expert in perinatal mental healththrough authored news articles (The Conversation), media engagements (ABC Nationwide), and invited podcasts on the impact of birth trauma on birthing families including fathers and non-birthing parents.

Qualifications

MBBS, MD, FRANZCOG, GRAD CERT EBP (MONASH), DDU (O&G) PhD (UQ)

Current External HDR Supervision

1. A formative evaluation of a peer-facilitated, online, perinatal education and support program for first-time Australian fathers referred through primary health care providers. Doctor Philosophy. Associate supervisor for Richard Pascal- Curtin University, WA, Australia. Graduating Research Quarter 4, 2026.
2. Attitudes and current practices of Indonesian men and women transitioning to parenthood with regard to gender equality and co-parenting: the need and acceptability of a supportive, informative messaging mobile phone application. Doctor Philosophy. Associate supervisor for Dona Tamburan- Curtin University, WA, Australia. From 2020- 2022 due to administrative limitations of Curtin University