Mandie Scamell is a Senior Midwifery Lecturer and Programme Director of the MSc Midwifery course at City, University of London. She teaches on both our post-registration and pre-registration Midwifery courses, and is involved in a variety of research including specialising in risk and midwifery care.

Discovering Midwifery

My interest in midwifery immerged out of my own lived experience of pregnancy and birth.  It was this that spurred me on to undertake Medical Anthropological MRes investigating women’s journeys through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period and my publications in the late 1990’s report on this work.  I trained to be midwife after completing this postgraduate research degree.

Academia

My first undergraduate degree, at the University of Durham, was in Anthropology.  Staying at Durham to complete my MRes and I then went to Brighton University to do my midwifery training.   I was eventually lucky enough to get funding which enabled me to combine my interest in midwifery and medical anthropology first in a Masters programme in Research Methods funded by my employing NHS Trust and finally in a PhD in Health social policy funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Working as a Midwife

I worked as a midwife for thirteen years predominantly in a case-loading model of care in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.  I have taught at the University of Durham; Brighton University; Kings College London and City, University of London.

Lecturing at City

I teach on the post and pre-registration programmes.  On the MSc  Midwifery course at City I teach a module called Risk in Midwifery Practice which draws from my area of research expertise.  On the BSc programme I teach bioethics and professional practice and midwifery clinical skills.

My main research interest is in risk and midwifery care.  Recently I have been involved in research in induction of labour, vaginal breech birth, female genital cutting and midwifery pre-registration education.

Both elements of my job – research and teaching – provide the opportunity to make a meaningful impact upon midwifery care and it is a commitment to this goal that keeps me going.  The job is diverse, involving a range of teaching and researching activities.  It is this rich and diverse working environment that I enjoy.

The Student Experience

The midwifery academic team here at City have a wealth of both clinical and research expertise.  Furthermore, we are all passionate about woman-centred, kind and evidence-based midwifery care. The students here at City don’t just learn how to be safe and competent, they learn how to be considered, heuristic and courageous midwives.

Maria Garcia De Frutos is a Midwifery Lecturer and Admissions Tutor for the BSc Midwifery course at City, University of London. She has a range of midwifery experience having previously worked in the NHS and third sector, and has expertise in public health and the politics or reproduction.

Discovering Midwifery

I have always felt passionate about women’s health. I developed an interest in sexual health and reproduction that led me to explore, study and practice the science and art of midwifery. I was particularly drawn to the close links between reproduction and politics, and saw midwifery as an opportunity for advocacy and activism for women’s rights and human rights as a whole.

Academia

I went to the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest Universities in Spain, to study Nursing in 2000. Later on, I completed a degree in Midwifery in London. A few years later I developed an interest in Global Health that led me to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to do a postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Nursing and a MSc in Public Health.

During my time as a student at university, I was fascinated about the diversity of backgrounds where my colleagues were coming from, the variety of reasons of why each one of us was studying the same subject and the rich and broad experiences we were all bringing into the courses.

Working as a Midwife

I have worked in the NHS for over 16 years, first as a nurse and then as a midwife. I spent the last few years caring for pregnant women with complex psychosocial factors in East London. I have worked both in the NHS and in the third sector, volunteering as a midwife with migrants and refugees in London and abroad.

Lecturing at City

I decided to move to lecturing as I wanted to make an impact in midwifery education and ultimately in the care that women and pregnant people would have in the future.

I have an expertise in public health and the politics of reproduction. I am particularly interested in the sexual and reproductive health of socio-politically excluded women and displaced populations. I am involved in both pre-registration and MSc programmes, and my favourite modules to teach are those related to Public Health and Global Maternal Health. 

I find the most rewarding part of my job is engaging in group discussions with students and exploring all the different ideas and experiences that they bring into the classroom.

The Student Experience

We support our students throughout their studies to make sure they develop the knowledge, skills and values required to practice the art and science of midwifery. Students are taught by an excellent and passionate academic team with a great expertise in teaching and research.

Suzanne Lee is a Midwifery Lecturer and Joint Programme Director of the BSc Midwifery course at City, University of London. Before joining City, she gained experience in all areas of midwifery care, including leading a team supporting women with medical complications and implementing research studies to improve care.

Discovering Midwifery

I was never particularly a ‘baby’ person and assumed that was a large part of being a midwife.  Then I met a midwife who explained what the job involved.  I really liked the idea of working with women to support and empower them at such a significant life event.

Academia

I was originally a mental health nurse and then studied a social policy degree as I wanted to have a better understanding of the societal factors which affect people’s wellbeing and the organisation of healthcare.  I then did a MA in Women’s Studies to deepen my knowledge of these issues particularly relate to women’s lives.  This interest in women’s health led me to study my midwifery degree.
I’ve just completed a PhD examining how pregnant women, midwives and doctors think with regard to pregnancy and childbirth.  I really enjoyed finding answers to questions which had occurred to me during my career as a clinical midwife and having the opportunity to focus on the subject I find most interesting.

Working as a Midwife

I’ve worked in all areas of maternity care: hospital and community settings caring for women and babies during and after pregnancy and birth.  For several years I led a team of midwives providing care for women with medical complications during pregnancy.  It was very rewarding to ensure they felt well informed and supported.  My last job was as a research midwife, implementing research studies which would help improve care for women.  This interest in research and how important it is for clinical care made me want to pursue a more academic career and I joined City in 2013.

Lecturing at City

I teach research methods applied to midwifery care and about some of the complications that can occur during pregnancy – the things I’m most interested in, and I continue to conduct research in this field. I enjoy being with students and seeing the joy and passion they have in midwifery.

The Student Experience

Students can expect a very rewarding and very challenging course which will give them entry into the most amazing career. Through placement opportunities and the training we provide in our specialist clinical skills labs, our students graduate as capable and confident Midwives.