Biography
I have been a midwife and nurse for many years, and I am passionate about the well-being and mental health of women, children and their families. In 2019, I was awarded the South Australian Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award for excellence in Midwifery practice. I was appointed Professor of Women’s Health at Edinburgh Napier University in 2022, having formally been the Associate Professor of Midwifery and Midwifery Program Director at the University of South Australia.
I am committed to the continuing development of midwifery practice through adaptive leadership, reflective practice and hard work driven by deeply held values. My approach draws on educational, professional and personal experiences from across my life to work positively with students, staff and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. I am dedicated to excellence in education and research and equipping students for practice in the 21st century and beyond. In 2021, I received the HE Award Senior Fellow and in 2016 was awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Office of Teaching and Learning.
I have a strong interested in research which is translational and informs practice and education. My PhD explored issues around postnatal midwifery care, specifically the study focused on developing evidence based strategies to improve practice by working with both clinicians and consumers. I am an advocate for improving the well-being of women and the development of healthy and resilient families through co-design research, workshops, publications and presenting at conferences. I am a primary supervisor for PhD and Master level students.
I also completed the South Australian Governors Leadership Foundation program and was awarded the Dennis Mutton Leadership award for a team project for leadership beyond self. I am married to Duncan (psychiatrist) and have three lovely daughters and one gorgeous grandson.