Every year the Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology (SRIP) organizes an international scientific meeting to exchange research findings and develop research interests and networks. The aim of the conference is to bring together research on the psychological, behavioural, medical and social aspects of all areas of reproduction, birth and infancy. This year the 33rd annual conference was held at the University of Hull with the theme, ‘Fertility, Reproductive and Childbirth Challenges in the 21st Century’. Sessions covered a number of diverse topics including reproductive challenges, the prenatal environment, women’s experiences and fathers. 

A particular strength of this year’s conference was the inclusion of a large number of presentations of qualitative research, giving delegates detailed insight into the beliefs, concerns and needs of parents across the perinatal period. This included a presentation by pPOD’s Jane Illes on the experiences of women who suffer from postnatal posttraumatic stress and the development of a cognitive model to guide intervention based on this work. 

As part of the conference SRIP awards a postgraduate research prize for a thesis in the area of reproduction, birth and infancy. This year’s prize was awarded to Zoe Darwin, while pPOD’s Jill Domoney was awarded the runner up prize for her work on father-infant interactions.

 Next year’s conference will be held in Malta where pPOD will be hoping to be well represented again. Details will be
 found on the SRIP website http://www.srip.ac.uk/ in due course.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Braithwaite who was shortlisted for this years MRC Max Perutz science writing award. She was tasked with writing 800 words which answered the question 'Why is my research important?' for a non-scientific audience. She was one of 11 shortlisted candidates from over 100 entries, and received her award from the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts MP. Her shortlisted entry is available to read in the pPOD blog.