Dr Vanessa Watkins is a Midwifery Research Fellow in the Curtin University School of Nursing, recognised for her deep expertise in healthcare and health services research. She has a strong background in clinical nursing and midwifery, as well as professional leadership, innovation, knowledge mobilisation, and primary research. Her research is dedicated to enhancing the quality, safety, and experience of healthcare, with a particular focus on equity, respect, empowerment, and collaboration in maternity and perinatal care. Dr Watkins’ doctoral research, Labouring Together, explored the essential conditions for effective interprofessional collaboration and shared decision-making with women. She continues to champion respect, equity, and justice through applied, partnership-driven and consumer-led research in the perinatal space.