Background

This inspirational career offers experienced midwives an excellent opportunity to combine their academic knowledge, clinical expertise, leadership and management skills to positively impact the lives of women and babies through the education of future midwives.

Senior midwifery lecturers typically work in universities in developing, managing and monitoring postgraduate and undergraduate midwifery programmes. Senior members of an academic team are also expected to work with Heads of Schools/Departments to ensure the effective delivery of midwifery teaching programmes within a university.

Midwifery lecturers of all levels engage in a wide range of teaching activities, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and sessions in simulation and skills laboratories. They are also responsible for planning the curriculum and assessments, whilst senior members will support and mentor more junior members of the teaching team.

What does a Senior Lecturer do?

The main aspects of the Senior Lecturer role are highlighted below:

1. Teaching and learning

• Research and evidence-based teaching on pre-registration and postgraduate courses using a range of resources and innovative approaches to create interest, understanding and enthusiasm

• Giving students a first-class learning experience with high quality academic and clinical guidance as well as advice around academic or personal issues, so that they will be more likely to be successful in their careers
• Reviewing and evaluating course content and materials

• Curriculum design and development and reviewing course content
• Supervising students undertaking research projects at master’s and/or doctoral level

2. Leadership and management

• Leading, supervising and mentoring/coaching other members of midwifery education team

• Taking responsibility for some management and administrative processes
• Chair or lead School/Faculty committees, ensuring the effective delivery of teaching programmes

• Introducing new initiatives to support and improve the experience of students, providing academic leadership

• Leading in your area of expertise

• Undertaking personal and professional development and supporting less experienced members of the team in doing so

3. Research and scholarship

• Contributing to developments in midwifery education practice and playing a part in practice communities, for example by presenting at conferences

• Generating funding, contributing to bids and tenders for external projects

• Participating in research, taking responsibility for developing personal research goals and contributing to internationally recognised research publications

4. Clinical Practice

• Maintaining and developing own clinical skills

• Working with placement providers and other agencies

• Checking that the student’s placement learning experience is of the quality expected

Liaison and networking:

Senior Lecturers maintain close links with practice education teams in local NHS Trusts and Health Boards, ensuring close partnerships.

They will also develop links with external networks such as educational bodies, employers and professional bodies to foster collaboration.

Senior Lecturers may also undertake international visits in order to establish partnerships, teach at partner institution or act as a Link-lecturer.

How do I become a senior midwifery lecturer?

Midwives who wish to pursue a career in education are normally required to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as midwives, having qualified with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. They should also have at least 2-3 years of clinical experience across the full scope of midwifery practice.

All midwifery lecturers must demonstrate academic knowledge and expertise in midwifery and women’s health, along with experience in adult education, research or scholarship, and academic administration to effectively contribute within a higher education setting.

To become a Senior Lecturer, you will typically need prior experience in higher education, including teaching and external recognition as a scholar, educator, or practitioner. Some higher education institutions (HEIs) expect Senior Lecturers to hold a doctoral-level qualification (usually a PhD) or to be actively working towards one. Equivalent knowledge gained through professional practice may also be considered.

Additionally, experience in curriculum development, team management, and producing publications or research outputs is highly valued for progression to Senior Lecturer roles in HEIs.

Are there Networks to support this role?

•  RCM Education and Research Forum
• RCM Educators’ Network
• RCM LME Network
• RCM Workplace Representatives and Learning Reps Network
• RCM i-Learn Platform
• Local and Regional RCM Branches
• RCM Student Midwives Forum

What are the realities of working as a senior midwifery lecturer?

Working in higher education as a Senior Midwifery Lecturer offers several advantages, including flexible working patterns, greater job security, a defined path for career advancement, and a competitive salary with access to generous pension schemes. At this senior level, there is typically more autonomy and influence over curriculum development, research direction, and strategic decision-making within the academic team.

However, the role is both challenging and multifaceted. Senior Lecturers are often expected to balance significant responsibilities across teaching, research, leadership, and academic administration. Workload intensity can peak during assessment periods and quality assurance processes, and there is often pressure to maintain research outputs and lead or support junior colleagues.

Despite these challenges, for experienced midwives who are passionate about education, leadership, and contributing to the development of the profession beyond the clinical setting, this role can be deeply rewarding and impactful.

Country Information

Scotland

Scottish Government (2014) Setting the Direction Strategic Review: Strategic Aim 4 – Setting The Direction For Nursing & Midwifery Education in Scotland – gov.scot – outlines national priorities acaross practice learning quality, clinical-academic collaboration and educational infrastructure

Northern Ireland

NIPEC Quality Excellence Framework: Quality Excellence Framework | NIPEC

England and Wales

  NMC Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education (2023)

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (2024) The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies

Where could this lead to?

Senior Midwifery Lecturer roles provide greater responsibility in management, leadership and educational development, with a range of career progression opportunities.

HEIs will each have their own pathway for academic staff to follow; however, examples may include:

• Academic leadership roles e.g Head of Midwifery Education, Dean of Associate Dean, Lead Midwife for Education, Programme Leads
• Research and policy e.g. Research Fellow, Policy or Professional Advisor for other organisations
• Professional bodies and external leadership e.g. Committee role for the NMC or HEE

Any top tips?

1. Show evidence of meeting essential criteria of Senior Lecturer job descriptions
2. Demonstrate leadership in curriculum design
3. Highlight your contribution to teaching strategy with evidence of feedback or evaluations
4. Engage in research or scholarly activity
5. Showcase your confidence in leading and supporting others
6. Be familiar with quality assurance processes and academic regulations
7. Showcase your contribution to improving student experience
8. Highlight how you maintain clinical links to ensure your teaching reflects current practice
9. Focus on tailoring your personal statement/CV to the job description
10. Show commitment to the wider midwifery fields, including research and enterprise

Resources

Student Support & Teaching Experience

• RCM Practice Supervisor and Assessor Guidance
  https://www.rcm.org.uk
• NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA)
  https://www.nmc.org.uk

NMC Education Standards

• NMC Standards for Pre-Registration Midwifery Programmes (2020)
  https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-midwives

NHS Leadership Academy: Communication Tools
https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk

Advance HE (formerly HEA) Teaching Recognition
https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/recognition

Teaching Portfolio Guidance

• Advance HE: Fellowship Guidance Pack
  https://www.advance-he.ac.uk
• University of Edinburgh – Academic Portfolio Examples
  https://www.ed.ac.uk
• RCM Bank Work Resources
  https://www.rcm.org.uk/advice-guides
• NMC Revalidation Guidance
  https://www.nmc.org.uk/revalidation

Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Events & Webinars
https://www.rcm.org.uk/events

• ‘X’ Midwifery Academic Community
  • Follow hashtags like #MidEd, #MidwiferyEducation, #WeMidwives
  • Connect with lecturers at local universities.

• LinkedIn Groups:
  • Midwifery Educators UK, Higher Education Midwifery Network

• Times Higher Education (THE): Life in Academia
  https://www.timeshighereducation.com