Evidence-based care is a cornerstone of midwifery practice, encompassing the contributions of midwives, student midwives, maternity support workers (MSWs), and maternity care assistants (MCAs). Each has a unique contribution in shaping and informing the evidence base that underpins high-quality care. To deliver safe and effective care, midwives must engage in critical thinking -remaining curious, questioning established practices and developing the ability to search for, interpret and evaluate evidence rigorously. While midwifery research often focuses on clinical practice, evidence is equally essential in other domains such as education and workforce. As a result, midwifery research extends beyond the clinical setting, reflecting the diverse and evolving nature of the profession.
Although there is no clear career pathway for midwifery researchers, this section of the career pathway aims to highlight the opportunities available to midwives who are interested in pursuing research. It provides useful information and resources to help to support a move into a research-focused role. Whether you’re just beginning to explore research or looking to build on existing experience, this framework is designed to help you navigate the possibilities and take meaningful steps toward a career in midwifery research.
Access the information that interests you from the table of contents.
The following i-learn courses can also support you to learn more about research:
Are you working in a research post or undertaking research? Please get in touch if you would like to feature as a case study or if you feel that the RCM can support you with your research: research@rcm.org.uk
Research roles
- Research delivery midwife – Research midwives are involved in inviting people to join research studies, caring for participants, carrying out study procedures, gathering study data, developing new treatments, procedures or practices based on research findings within their place of work. Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) and Maternity Care Assistants (MCAs) can also work in research delivery supporting both clinical and non-clinical roles.
- Pre-doctoral Academic Fellowship (PCAF) is a funded training and development award designed to help a midwife prepare for a PhD and is at masters level. Awards are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England, The Chief Scientist Office in Scotland, Health and Care Research in Wales and Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D) in Northern Ireland.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a purely research based higher degree. The requirement of a doctoral degree is that you have generated a significant contribution to knowledge in your field of study. You do not need to have completed a PCAF or master’s degree before commencing a PhD. PhD studies can last from between 3–4 years full time, or 5–7 years part time.
There are different ways to complete a PhD programme.
- You can apply for a fellowship from the NIHR (England), Health and Care Research (Wales), Chief Scientist Office (Scotland) and HSC R&D Division (Northern Ireland) for a project of your choosing. If successful you will be paid at your current midwife salary. This can be as a clinical academic or purely an academic. A clinical academic means that you will work in a university as well as a hospital Trust or Board. Funding is also available from other sources, for example charities such as the Wellbeing of Women charity or the Wellcome Trust
- You can apply for a studentship at the university of your choice on your chosen topic. This covers your tuition fees and provides a tax-free living stipend of £20,780 per year (FTE, 2025). If in London, this is £22,780 (FTE, 2025). You will need to secure a supervisor to support your application.
- You can apply for an advertised PhD position at a university which will be to work on an already funded research project. This will cover tuition fees and provide a stipend. A supervisor will already be in place.
- You can self-fund your studies and apply to the university of your choice on your chosen topic. You will need to pay tuition fees and living costs. You will need to secure a supervisor to support your application.
- Professional doctorate – this PhD focuses on practice-based research. Most Professional Doctorates require students to complete taught modules and all will require completion of an original piece of research. Funding can come from different sources, as described above.
- Post-doctoral period – midwifery researchers can continue to a ‘postdoc’ after completing a PhD. This allows the researcher to continue their training and specialise further. There may be some teaching or supervision component with their role.
There are different ways to undertake research in the post-doctoral period:
- You can apply for a fellowship from a funder, like the NIHR, Wellbeing of Women or Wellcome Trust, for a project of your choosing. If successful you will be paid a salary. There are different programmes from the NIHR and equivalents in Scotland, Wales and NI. This can be as a clinical academic or purely an academic. A clinical academic means that you will work in a university as well as a hospital Trust or Board.
- You can become a Research Fellow, employed to carry out independent or collaborative research, often on a fixed-term contract linked to specific funding. The role can vary from early-career positions with supervision to senior posts with substantial autonomy, leadership of projects, and responsibility for securing grants and publishing research.
- Higher level academic – these are senior academic staff who hold advanced roles, typically associate professor, reader, or professor. These roles usually involve leadership in research, substantial publication records, supervision of doctoral students, strategic contributions to the institution, and often significant administrative or policy responsibilities in addition to teaching.
- Associate Professor or Reader – You will have developed an international reputation and demonstrated evidence of new knowledge, innovation and understanding in your area of expertise. You will provide leadership and contribute to the development of the research and education profile of the university, ensuring that teaching and research are integrated throughout university activities. You also manage, lead and coach other members of the teaching and research faculty. In addition to the above, another key aspect of the role is to liaise and network effectively in order to generate collaborative projects and disseminate research, its impact on practice and its evidence base.
- Professor of Midwifery – You will have been promoted to the highest academic grade in a university. You will be responsible for leading research, securing funding, publishing extensively, and providing expert teaching and supervision. You also contribute to university leadership, mentor junior staff, and shape discipline development through national or international engagement. Advancing from assistant to professor typically requires a strong record of independent research, successful grant funding, high-impact publications, and excellence in teaching and leadership. Progression often involves promotion to associate professor or reader first, demonstrating sustained contributions to academia and institutional service.
Resources and links
RCM Research Strategy RCM Research Strategy 2025 – Royal College of Midwives
RCM Research pages Research – Royal College of Midwives
RCM Research Map
Midwifery Practice and Maternity Care/James Lind Alliance Top 10 priorities Midwifery Practice and Maternity Care | NIHR JLA
Council of Deans for Health report: Clinical researchers in the United Kingdom: Building capacity to improve population health and promote economic growth (July 2025) New report: Clinical researchers in the United Kingdom: Building capacity to improve population health and promote economic growth – Council of Deans of Health
Council of Deans for Health report Clinical researchers in the United Kingdom: Building capacity to improve population health and promote economic growth
A practical guide to planning an academic or research career https://www.jobs.ac.uk/media/pdf/careers/resources/a-practical-guide-to-planning-an-academic-or-research-career.pdf
Council of Deans for Health report: Becoming research confident – Research placements in pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health programmes in the UK (June 2021) 010621-research-placement-report-FINAL-4.pdf (councilofdeans.org.uk)
Lancet series on Midwifery
MIDIRS (Midwives Information & Resource Service) MIDIRS Homepage – Royal College of Midwives
NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Career development for nurses and midwives | NIHR
Wellbeing of Women For researchers
Wellcome Trust Home | Wellcome
Health and Care Research, Wales Funding schemes | Health Care Research Wales
Chief Scientist Office, Scotland Fellowship Funding – Chief Scientist Office
HSC R&D Division, Northern Ireland Fellowship Awards | Public Health Agency – Research & Development in Northern Ireland
UK Research and Innovation (research councils) Our councils – UKRI
Clinical Researchers in the United Kingdom Document
The Research Priorities for Nursing and Midwifery Document
