Top 10 maternity research priorities virtual symposium

23 June 2026, 10.00AM - 3.00PM

Venue: Virtual

Address: Zoom

If you have queries about an event please email events@rcm.org.uk 

Overview

MIDIRS is proud to sponsor the first-ever RCM Top 10 Maternity Research Priorities Symposium.

This virtual event will bring together midwives, researchers, and maternity professionals to explore the most pressing research priorities shaping the future of midwifery and maternity care.

Designed as a collaborative and inspiring space, the symposium will offer opportunities to share findings, exchange ideas, and connect with others passionate about advancing maternity research. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives on the RCM’s Top 10 research priorities and discover how these insights can influence and enhance midwifery practice.

Join us to be part of a growing research community committed to improving outcomes for women, babies, and families.

Speakers Bios Research Symposium

Programme

10.00-10.15 Welcome Ā 

Professor. Vanora Hundley, Professor of Midwifery Bournemouth University

and Professor Ruth Endacott, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, NIHR

10.15 – 11.15 15 minute presentations + 5 min Q&A

1.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Improving Equity in Maternity Care Through Linguistically Accessible Parent Education Classes. Heather Reeves, UCLH
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Representation Matters: Inclusive Maternity Research for Safer, Culturally Competent Care. Natalie Reynolds, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust
3.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Cultural negotiation in pregnancy care. Sarah Esegbona-Adeigbe, LSBU
11.15 – 11.30 2 minute pre-recorded poster presentations

1.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Neurodivergent Student Midwives’ needs in Clinical Practice:Ā  A Scoping Review Protocol. Emily Bargh,Ā  Sheffield Hallam University
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Improving Perinatal Outcomes for Motherless Mothers via Grief-Aware Maternity Care. Adina Belloli, The Motherless Mothers Charity & The Open University
3.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Improving Postnatal Pain Management: A Systems Approach to Equity. Sima Farhadi, Barking Havering Redbridge NHS Trust
4.Ā Ā Ā Ā  A review of NHS and HSC online information for women in the early phase of labour. Maryam Malekian, Bournemouth University
5.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Interprofessional collaboration in high-risk pregnancies in England. Dr Evangelia Myttaraki, Kings College London
6.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Perspectives of Health and Social Care Professionals on Caring for Pregnant Women with NRPF and Subject to NHS Charging in the UK: A mixed-methods study. Hannah Rayment-Jones, King’s College London
7.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Strengthening Place of Birth Conversations. Sam Todd, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

 

11.30-11.45 Coffee break
11.45 -12.45 15 minute presentations + 5 min Q&A

1.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Navigating intercultural birth practices to understand culturally competent communication. Kristina Goh , Middlesex University/Anglia Ruskin University
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Psychological Burden and Care in Hyperemesis Gravidarum and NVP. Alexandra Mills, East Lancashire Hospital’s Trust, University of Lancashire, NIHR Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow
3.Ā Ā Ā Ā  How midwives sustain personalised care when families opt to freebirth. Maria Velo Higueras, Robert Gordon University
12.45 – 13.00 2 minute pre-recorded poster presentations

1.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Early career midwives’ perineal care learning and practice: qualitative study. Fiona Cross-Sudworth, University of Warwick
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Healthcare professionals’ responses to breastfeeding grief and trauma. Rachael Gardner, King’s College London
3.Ā Ā Ā Ā  How do Black African Women experience current Perinatal Mental Health Provision in the United Kingdom, and the barriers and facilitators to acceptability of support from health professionals in accessing services? Jamie Hanson, Anglia Ruskin University
4.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Exploring COVID-19 vaccine behaviour in South- Asian and Caucasian pregnant women Ethnicity, culture, and COVID-19 vaccine behaviour in South Asian and Caucasian pregnant women. Samia Kaddeer, University of the West of Scotland
5.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Dynamic birth position, awareness and practice by midwives in Ethiopia: a parallel mixed-methods study. Osman Yimer Mohammed, Debre Berhan University
6.Ā Ā Ā Ā  What’s known about Neurodivergent Families Perinatal Experiences: A Scoping Review. Holly Streeter,Ā  Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust
7.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Developing digital innovations for Autism-informed maternity care. Ella Francie Watson, Swansea University
13.00-13.40 Lunch
13.40 – 13.55 Welcome Dr. Jenny McNeil, Reader in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast
13.55 – 14.55 15 minute presentations + 5 min Q&A

1.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Examining women’s experiences of decision-making for CTG use in labour. Claire Parker-Farthing, Anglia Ruskin University
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā  A perinatal peer-led listening circle: an innovative neighbourhood approach to nurturing mothers. Hannah Rogers, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
3.Ā Ā Ā Ā  Sustaining the Future Midwifery Workforce: Education, Support and Compassionate Practice. Jo Killingley Maddick, Middlesex university
14.55 RCM Research Team to close
15.00 Close

 

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