ENVISAGE celebrates honorary doctorate awarded to ENVISAGE Parent Partner and advocate Rose Babic.
ENVISAGE is very proud to celebrate Rose Babic, a long‑standing Parent Partner and advocate, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (honoris causa) by Australian Catholic University (ACU) at a ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday 14 May 2026.
This honour recognises Rose’s significant contributions to paediatric disability research, service delivery and real‑world outcomes — particularly her work empowering families raising children with developmental concerns to thrive through strengths‑based, values‑driven approaches to caregiving and support.
A founding contributor to ENVISAGE, Rose has played a pivotal role in shaping the program nationally and internationally. She is a founding parent representative of the ENVISAGE International Leadership Committee and a co‑investigator in the global ENVISAGE research collaboration — bringing the parent voice into research design, governance and implementation. Her work reflects the core focus of ENVISAGE — empowering caregivers to feel confident, capable and connected.
Rose’s journey into this work began when her son Eric was diagnosed with a complex disability in infancy — a moment that shaped the direction of her advocacy, research and leadership. Through navigating care, systems and daily life, her lived experience became a powerful foundation for improving how families are supported.
During the conferral ceremony, ACU Chancellor, The Hon Martin Daubney AM KC KSG (pictured above presenting Rose with her Honorary Doctorate at the ceremony) highlighted that: “Rose has integrated her lived experience as a parent caregiver into co‑designing, evaluating and implementing ENVISAGE’s flagship programs… bridging real‑world needs of children and families with research and practice.”
Following the ceremony, Rose reflected on the relationships and partnerships that have shaped her work:
“I also want to acknowledge the mentors who guided me with such generosity. Professor Laura Miller and Professor Christine Imms were there right at the beginning of my research journey at ACU. They didn’t just welcome me — they understood me. They valued my lived experience as something important, not something extra. With them, there were no hierarchies or expectations that I had to fit a certain mould. There was curiosity, respect, and a genuine belief that my perspective mattered. In moments when life felt overwhelming, they made space for me — for my questions, my doubts, and my responsibilities as a mother. They believed in my potential even when I struggled to see it myself.”
She also extended her thanks to Professor Peter Rosenbaum and her ENVISAGE colleagues in Canada, who opened doors, shared their knowledge and stories, and worked towards a shared vision that recognises common needs across countries and strengthens the global impact of this work.
Through her leadership within ENVISAGE, Rose has helped co‑design, evaluate and deliver multiple programs, including ENVISAGE Families and ENVISAGE Service Providers. Her work has been instrumental in translating research into practical learning experiences for both caregivers and professionals — supporting a shift in practice towards strengths‑based, family‑centred care.
Her work on ENVISAGE Service Providers has also seen her contribute to building capability within the workforce — supporting clinicians and organisations to better understand and partner with families, and strengthening the connection between research, service delivery and real‑world outcomes.
Beyond program delivery, Rose’s contributions span research, mentoring and system change. She has co‑authored peer‑reviewed research, contributed to national and international collaborations, and mentored the next generation of researchers and practitioners — all grounded in a commitment to amplifying the voices of families.
She also reflects on the importance of delivering support in ways that truly work for families: “Families are living in a fast‑paced world. They need support that fits into their lives, not support that expects them to fit into ours… This is something that the work of ENVISAGE is seeking to address.”
Her influence has contributed to a shift away from deficit‑based models towards approaches that recognise the expertise, capacity and strengths of families — a philosophy that underpins ENVISAGE programs across Australia and internationally.
Today, Rose continues to inspire families, clinicians and researchers alike through her generosity, leadership and willingness to share her experiences — offering clarity, hope and reassurance to those navigating early childhood disability.
As she reflects, her work has always extended beyond her own story:
“But today isn’t just about my story. It’s about the many families whose experiences I’ve had the privilege to learn from. Every family has its own story — of love, challenge, resilience, and navigating systems that don’t always understand them. Their voices guide my work. They remind me that research must stay connected to real lives, real children, and real communities.”
This recognition reflects not only Rose’s individual contribution, but also the collective impact of families whose lived experience continues to shape research, practice and more meaningful support through ENVISAGE.
We are incredibly proud to have Rose within the ENVISAGE community and thank her for the insight, empathy and leadership she continues to bring to families.
Click here to read the full story regarding Rose’s Honorary Doctorate.
Click here to learn more about Rose's parenting experience and what brought her to ENVISAGE.
Watch the story behind ENVISAGE and the powerful role Rose has played in shaping the program through her lived experience:
