I am a University of the West of Scotland (UWS) lecturer and qualified as a midwife from Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital (Rottenrow) in 1992. I have worked in all spheres of clinical practice but predominately in the Labour Ward, then as a Practice Development Midwife at the Princess Royal Maternity, Glasgow before coming into education. I completed a BSc Health Studies (Midwifery) in 1996 and a Master of Midwifery in 2003. My PhD study explored obstetric emergencies with student midwives. Since 2006 I have taught on the pre- and post-registration midwifery programmes at UWS and my main areas of interest are: research, personal development planning (PDP) / ePortfolio and experiential learning through obstetric emergency simulation. I am currently the MSc (with-registration) Midwifery Programme Leader. In my spare time I like to play tennis and be creative through painting!

I undertook a Doctoral Study To Explore Obstetric Emergencies with Student Midwives. The research areas that this covers are obstetric emergency and simulation used for obstetric emergencies. The study uses mixed methods.

I am also interested in the use of personal development planning (PDP) and ePortfolio which is used in higher education for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Although using creative mediums to express student learning through PDP / ePorfolio is also my passion.

On completion of the PhD I would like to further explore obstetric emergencies from different perspectives, which would be post-doctoral research work.

I would also like to do research in relation to trauma support for woman who have undergone an obstetric emergency. Plus be involved in research in relation to perinatal mental health and suicide prevention.  Another area of interest is in using apps or gaming for learning.

My past research experience:

Lead Investigator: An Evaluation of the SMMDP. Awarded a research grant from NHS Education Scotland to conduct the research study following a successful research bid application.

Lead member on steering group, devising and implementing a pan-Glasgow research survey on antenatal care/education for young pregnant women (Young Women’s Pregnancy Project).

Member of a steering group at Glasgow Caledonian University involved in proposal development for a qualitative research study on pregnant teenagers and alcohol use.

Lead research midwife for the Princess Royal Maternity on a double blind Randomised Controlled Trial investigating the growth and development of Small for Gestational Age infants when using either enriched formula or a standard formula. Study conducted by the Institute of Child Health in London and affiliated with the University of Glasgow.

Conducted a descriptive research study for the Master of Midwifery degree exploring the views of pregnant teenagers on antenatal education.

Project Experience:

Nominated person to collaborate in the ISLEs project (Individualised Support for Learning through ePortfolios) for the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Paisley.  Introduced and supported midwifery students using ePortfolio to aid reflection and assist learning and development.

The Scottish Multiprofessional Maternity Development Programme

NHS Education for Scotland

NHS Health Scotland