UTS educators honoured for excellence in child and family health teaching
Four academics from the University of Technology Sydney's Western Centre for Child and Family Health (WCH) have been honoured with the Team Teaching Award at the 2026 UTS Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Awards.
Dr Vanessa Scarf, Rachel Reid, Jennifer Fenwick and Kathleen Baird received the award for their work leading child and family health education that shapes the first 2,000 days – the period from pregnancy through to a child's fifth birthday, widely recognised as one of the most important stages for lifelong health, development and wellbeing.
Recognising teaching that makes a difference
The UTS Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Awards celebrate educators who make an exceptional contribution to student learning and the broader community.
Importantly, the awards are aligned with the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) framework, Australia's national benchmark for teaching excellence. This alignment reflects the strength of the team's teaching against nationally recognised standards, recognising excellence in curriculum design, student learning and educational impact.
For current and future students, it's an important indicator that they'll be learning from educators whose teaching has been recognised not only within UTS, but against a rigorous national framework.
Supporting the first 2,000 days
The team's work focuses on preparing nurses and midwives to support women, children and families during the first 2,000 days of life.
Whether working in maternity services, neonatal care, community health or child and family health settings, graduates play an important role in supporting families through some of life's most significant moments. The WCH team's teaching combines contemporary research, evidence-informed practice and real-world clinical expertise to help students build the confidence and capability to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Meet the award-winning educators
Dr Scarf, Reid, Fenwick and Baird teach across UTS Online’s postgraduate women’s and children’s health programs, bringing extensive academic, research and clinical experience to every subject.
Dr Vanessa Scarf
Dr Vanessa Scarf is a midwifery academic and researcher whose work focuses on maternity care, birthplace decision-making and the experiences of women and families. Her research spans the costs, outcomes and accessibility of different models of maternity care, including international work exploring midwife-led birthing centres and policies that reduce financial barriers to childbirth.
Rachel Reid
Rachel Reid is a Lecturer in Midwifery at UTS and teaches into the Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health. A registered nurse and midwife, she brings experience across nursing, midwifery, perinatal research, antenatal education and child and family health. She is committed to working with industry partners to deliver high-quality academic and professional learning experiences for students.
Professor Jennifer Fenwick
Professor Jennifer Fenwick is an internationally recognised midwifery clinician, academic and researcher with more than 40 years of experience. Her work focuses on women’s emotional wellbeing during pregnancy, birth and early motherhood, as well as maternity service reform, continuity of midwifery care and the translation of research into practice. She is deeply committed to improving equitable, woman-centred maternity services.
Professor Kathleen Baird
Professor Kathleen Baird is Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at UTS and an internationally recognised leader in midwifery education, research and advocacy. Her research focuses on family and domestic violence, women’s health and the impact of social and structural vulnerability on health outcomes. She is a strong advocate for woman-centred, research-informed care and the development of future nursing and midwifery leaders.
Their expertise contributes to three postgraduate courses:
Master of Women's and Children's Health
Build advanced knowledge across women's health, child health, leadership, research and reproductive health while developing the skills to lead evidence-informed practice and improve health outcomes for women and children.
Graduate Certificate in Women's and Children's Health
Develop specialised knowledge in contemporary women's and children's health through a flexible postgraduate qualification that can also provide a pathway into the master's.
Congratulations to the team
This award reflects the team's commitment to delivering exceptional learning experiences and preparing nurses and midwives to make a lasting difference in the lives of women, children and families.
Congratulations to Dr Vanessa Scarf, Rachel Reid, Jennifer Fenwick and Kathleen Baird on this well-deserved achievement. Their dedication to teaching, research and professional practice continues to shape the next generation of health professionals and strengthen the future of women's and children's healthcare.
Image credits: Oscar Colman
