Internationally renowned researcher named new Executive Director at The Kids

A globally recognised leader in maternal and child health, with an international career that spans clinical care, academic research, policy influence and senior leadership, has been named The Kids Research Institute Australia’s third Executive Director.

Professor Caroline Homer AO will assume the role of Executive Director at Western Australia’s largest medical research institute, and the only institute dedicated to the health and wellbeing of children and young people, from 20 July this year.   
 
Currently at the Burnet Institute in Melbourne, Professor Homer is an Executive Council Member, Deputy Director, Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Co-Head of the Global Women and Newborn Health Group. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and has served as Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council since 2021. Professor Homer holds honorary, adjunct and visiting appointments at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and Kings College, London, and previously held senior leadership roles at the University of Technology Sydney.  
 
Ms Naomi Flutter, Board Chair at The Kids, said Professor Homer brings significant leadership capabilities and experience, supporting the translation of research into real world impact including through the development of strong, impactful relationships with diverse partners.  
 
“The Kids’ Board is delighted to welcome Professor Homer to the Institute. We’re excited for her distinguished experience as a clinical researcher and champion of maternal and child health, along with her longstanding commitment to health equity and impact. Caroline’s experience extends into clinical practice, policy development and the research funding environment – all areas of focus, aligned strongly with The Kids’ ambition,” Ms Flutter said.  
 
“Caroline joins The Kids, having led significant research programs focused on improving health outcomes for women, children and families. Her work in academic and Institute settings and with global health bodies, including the World Health Organization, has directly influenced policy and practice, in Australia and internationally. We’re confident that Caroline’s leadership will help guide the Institute, through this next critical period, as we implement Research Reimagined, our strategic plan.” 
 
Professor Homer said she was honoured to be appointed, as the third Executive Director at The Kids, following distinguished researchers and scientists Professor Fiona Stanley AC and Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM.  
 
“I’m excited to join The Kids, with its impressive track record, delivering outcomes for kids and families, and strong reputation, built over the last 35 years. I look forward to partnering with the executive and broader team, to continue to deliver health and wellbeing outcomes for children and families,” Professor Homer said.  
 
“I’m attracted to The Kids’ strategic plan, which establishes a compelling ambition for the Institute, and see opportunities to draw upon my experience at the Burnet, NHMRC and in international forums like the WHO, to build partnerships across health services and stakeholders, to deliver the plan. 
 
The Kids launched its strategic plan, Research Reimagined, in 2024. The plan outlines a bold vision to identify and deliver solutions to the biggest health and wellbeing challenges facing children, tackling them systematically and holistically, often with the endpoint in mind. The Institute has identified reducing vulnerability on school entry, reducing infectious disease risk in vulnerable children and improving the quality of life for children with long-term conditions, among areas where it will focus its research.  
 
Professor Homer was selected by the Board pursuant to a rigorous recruitment process, which attracted extremely high calibre domestic and international candidates. The Executive Director role carries the appointment of Professor at The University of Western Australia and Director of the UWA Centre for Child Health Research.  
 
Professor Homer will replace Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, who has who has served as Executive Director of The Kids for 14 years. Professor Carapetis will continue his research at The Institute and with UWA, pursuing his lifelong focus on finding a vaccine for Strep A and ending rheumatic heart disease.  
 
Professor Homer will be the second woman, and third Executive Director, to lead The Kids. Founding Director and Patron Professor Fiona Stanley AC retired in 2011.