Following clinical practice experience specialising in intrapartum care in Manchester, Tracey Mills completed a PhD at the University of Manchester, undertaking laboratory-based research into vascular function in the placenta in complex pregnancies. Since 2016, she has developed a strong reputation in applied health research, tackling challenges in access, quality and equity in pregnancy and childbirth care. Tracey moved to Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) in 2020 and currently holds the position of principal investigator in the Centre for Childbirth, Women’s and Newborn Health. In this role she leads the bereavement care workstreams and capacity strengthening strategy for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Research Unit on Prevention and Management of Stillbirth and Neonatal death in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tracey also chairs the LSTM Early Career Research Review panel and is the International Public Health representative on the Research Committee.

Tracey uses a range of applied health methodologies including qualitative and quantitative approaches, participatory methods and clinical trials. Her recent focus has been in global health programmes for prevention of stillbirth and neonatal death and promoting respectful maternity and newborn care, including after the death of a baby. This unique portfolio of work addresses key evidence gaps in reducing perinatal death and ensuring respectful and compassionate maternity care for women and families in sub-Saharan Africa and more recently South Asia. Through equitable partnerships across eight countries, Tracey has strengthened the research capacity of midwives, nurses and others, accelerating translation into improved practice and outcomes. She has a successful track record of obtaining funding, including awards from Wellbeing of Women Royal College of Midwives Burdett Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Units and Groups, and Medical Research Council Applied Global Health Board.

Tracey contributes to teaching across maternal and newborn health topics and is an experienced master's and PhD supervisor.