Research dissemination and outreach
International Stillbirth Alliance 2017
The pregnancy loss and research group hosted the annual meeting of the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) from 22-24 September 2017. Professor Keelin O'Donoghue chaired the organising committee for ISA Cork 2017, and led a multi-disciplinary team involving obstetricians, midwives, scientists, services users, perinatal pathologists, chaplains, educators and researchers and parents.
The conference attracted an international faculty and attendees, and this served as an excellent opportunity for researchers, clinicians and industry to meet, exchange ideas and form future collaborations.
ISA 2017 Cork highlights included:
- Over 400 national and international delegates attended, making this the most successful conference in the history of the ISA.
- Delegates came from 26 countries.
- 20% of delegates were non-healthcare professionals - bereaved parents and parent support groups.
- Human experiences of stillbirth bereavement from both bereaved parents and healthcare professionals were shared.
- Plenary talks and Invited speakers. Over 130 submitted presentations – talks and posters
- Exhibition from charities and support groups
- Successful pre-conference workshops, attracted a wide range of delegates
- Parents’ Workshop and Assembly – unique and well attended
- Significant national media coverage – print, radio and TV
- First public viewing of a moving and beautiful short film “When my baby died”, made by the Local Organising Committee in collaboration with small group of bereaved parents.
A commentary on experiences from ISA 2017 was written collaboratively by a parent, a chaplain, a bereavement and loss specialist midwife, and a consultant obstetrician and published in Research Involvement and Engagement.
Read more about the impact of ISA 2017 in our case study.