Profile

Professor Soo Downe

Professor in Midwifery Studies

Health

Brook, BB223

+44 (0)1772 893815

sdowne@uclan.ac.uk

Soo’s research is encompassed by four distinct programmes of work, namely: 
1. Intrapartum phenomenon and techniques, with specific attention to physiological processes and consequent outcomes 
2. Midwifery expertise and practice 
3. Place and mode of birth, and associated interprofessional issues 
4. Service user engagement.

Soo Downe
OBE for services to midwifery 2011
PhD Midwifery, University of Derby 2000
MSc Research, University of Derby
Registered Midwife 1985
BSc (Hons) Literature and Linguistics, University of York, 1981

Soo has used a wide range of methods, in her research, including trials, surveys, systematic reviews (metasynthesis and meta-analysis), ethnography, phenomenology, and participatory action research based on appreciative enquiry. She is interested in the utility of complexity theory in understanding dynamic health states. Her specific focus is the normal physiology of childbirth, including the processes which can maximise normal birth, with a focus on the understanding of the nature of positive wellbeing (salutogenesis)  as opposed to simply reducing pathology.
Her other areas of general interest include methodological innovation, particularly in the area of metasynthesis, and the creation of collaborative links with service users at all stages of the research process.

Membership of professional bodies

International
Member of Board of Directors for International MotherBaby Childbirth Organisation (IMBCO) (June 2011-date)

International Confederation of Midwives Research Standing Committee (co-chair from January 2009-2011)

Global Alliance of Nursing and Midwifery Steering Group (invited    member from January 2009-date)

International normal birth research virtual network
Founder (2001) and coordinator

Biannual international normal birth research conference
Founder (2001) and coordinator

National
Royal College of Midwives (member)

Royal College of Midwives Campaign for Normal Birth (Inargural Chair from inception - 2011)

National Maternity Care Working Party
2002

Department of Health Midwifery 2020 Initiative (2009-2010):
Steering committee member for England
Sub-group member, Wales

Medical Research Council: College of Experts
Invited member, 2007-2009:

Regional
Patient and Public Involvement Lead, RDS North West, April 2012-March 2013

North West Clinical midwives research network
Founder (2001) and coordinator

OTHER APPOINTMENTS (
Francine Gooris International Midwifery Chair
Artevelde Hogeschool, Ghent, Belgium
2006-2008
 
Honorary Chair, University of Gothenburg, Sweden 2009 (visit April 2009)

Founder and coordinator, international normal birth elist
From 2001

Quality of Midwifery Care Steering Committee (Dharzi and midwifery 2020)
-and Service Delivery sub-group
Invited member, July-Sept 2008

NPSA/RCOG/RCM  working group on improving patient safety in intrapartum care
Subgroup: designing criteria for acceptable evidence
Invited member and Chair Spring 2008-Sept 2008

Lancashire and Cumbria NIH Research Design Service
Invited member from June 2008

NW SHA Research Colloquium
Invited member from 2006

External Examiner, University of Ulster
From 2006

Data monitoring group for ADCAR RCT
Trinity College Dublin
Invited member
 

Publications

Books

Downe, S (ed). 2008 Normal Childbirth: evidence and debate. Elsevier, Edinburgh. ISBN: 0 443 07385 6 (2nd ed) 1st edition published  2004

Dey P, Downe S, Milston AM, Roddam H, Hart A 2009 IMPACT: linking research and teaching; School of Public Health and Clinical Sciences. UCLan, Preston, www.uclan.ac.uk/impact

Walsh D and Downe S 2010 (eds) Essential skills for Intrapartum care. Elsevier, Oxford
Comensus writing team, McKeowen M, Shoja L, Downe S (eds) . Service user and carer engagement in higher education. Manuscript submitted to publisher. Blackwells, London

Downe S, Simpson L, Byrom S (eds) Leadership, expertise and collaboration.
Commissioned book manuscript submitted to Wiley press, Feb 2010

Book chapters

Downe S 2004 The concept of normality in the maternity services: application and consequences In (Ed) Frith, L:  Ethics and midwifery: issues in contemporary practice. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford (2nd edition)

Downe S 2004. Transition and the second stage of labour: In (Eds) Henderson C and MacDonald; Mayes Midwifery (13th edition)  Harcourt Health Sciences, London

Rouleston L, Morris A and Downe S 2004 Home Birth In: Arulkumaran S (ed) Handbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Oxford University Press

Downe S  2004 Is there a future for normal birth? In: Wickham S (ed) Midwifery Best Practice 2 Elsevier (books for midwives).

Downe S 2006. Transition and the second stage of labour: In (Eds) Fraser D, Cooper M,   Nolte AGW Myles textbook for midwives: African Edition Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

Downe S 2007 Forward.  In: Walsh D  Evidence-Based Care for Normal Labour and Birth: A Guide for Midwives. Routledge, London

Downe S, Walsh D 2007 Normal Birth and Birth Centre Care: A Public Health Catalyst for Maternal and Societal Well-being In: Edwards G, Byrom S (2007) Essential Midwifery Practice: Public Health Blackwells Publishing

Downe S and McCourt C 2008 From Being to Becoming: Reconstructing childbirth knowledges In: Downe S (ed Normal Birth, evidence and debate (2nd ed). Elsevier, Oxford

Walsh D, Rashad A, Downe S 2008 Risk, Safety and the Study of Physiological Birth In Downe S (ed) Normal Birth, evidence and debate (2nd ed) . Elsevier, Oxford.

Downe S, Trent Midwifery Research Group, Young C and Hall-Moran 2008 Multiple midwifery discourses: the case of the early pushing urge In: Downe S (ed) Normal Birth, evidence and debate (2nd ed). Elsevier, Oxford

Downe S & Dykes F 2009 Counting Time in pregnancy and labour. In Mccourt C (ed) Time and maternity care  Elsevier, Oxford

Schmidt V and Downe S 2010 Midwifery skills for normalising unusual labours  In Walsh D and Downe S (eds) Essential skills for Intrapartum care. Elsevier. Oxford
Downe S and Walsh D 2010 Debates about knowledge and intrapartum care. In: Walsh D and Downe S (eds) Essential skills for Intrapartum care. Elsevier. Submitted to publisher.
Downe S 2010 Towards Salutogenic Birth. In: Walsh D and Downe S (eds) Essential skills for Intrapartum care. Elsevier. Submitted to publisher.
Downe S (in press) Maternal and infant deaths; chasing the millennium development goals 4 & 5: Human resource challenges. For RCOG publication on MDG goals.

Downe S 2010 Toward Salutogenic Birth in the 21st Century. In: Walsh D and Downe S (eds) Essential skills for Intrapartum care. Elsevier

Scmidt V and Downe S 2010 Midwifery skills for normalising unusual labours. In: Walsh D and Downe S (eds) Essential skills for Intrapartum care. Elsevier

Walsh D and Downe S 2010 . Debates about Knowledge and Intrapartum Care In: Walsh D and Downe S (eds) Essential skills for Intrapartum care. Elsevier

Downe  S, Simpson L  (in press) The notion of expertise. In: Downe S, Simpson L, Byrom S (eds) Leadership, expertise and collaboration.  Commissioned book manuscript submitted to Wiley press, Feb 2010-02-01

Simpson L, Downe S (in press) Expertise in intrapartum midwifery practice. In: Downe S, Simpson L, Byrom S (eds) Leadership, expertise and collaboration.  Commissioned book manuscript submitted to Wiley press, Feb 2010

Downe S, Finlayson K (in press) Collaboration: theories, models, and maternity care In: Downe S, Simpson L, Byrom S (eds) Leadership, expertise and collaboration.  C ommissioned book manuscript submitted to Wiley press, Feb 2010-02-01

Refereed Publications

Downe S, Renfrew M, Gerrett D 2004 The Effect Of Position In The Passive Second Stage On Birth Outcome In Nulliparous Women Using Epidural Analgesia: A Prospective Randomised Trial. Midwifery 20(2) 157-168

Walsh D, Downe S 2004 Outcomes of Free-Standing, Midwife-Led Birth Centers: A Structured Review.
Birth 31(3) 222-229

Hodnett ED, Downe S, Edwards N, Walsh D. Home-like versus conventional institutional settings for birth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1
Summarised in: Hodnett ED, Downe S, Edwards N, Walsh D. 2005 Home-like versus conventional institutional settings for birth. Birth, 32 (2) 151-151(1)

Walsh D and Downe S 2005 Meta-synthesis method for qualitative research: a literature review  Journal of Advanced Nursing (5) 204-211
Reprinted as summary and commentary in MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 2005 15(3) 306

Byrom A  and Downe S 2005 Management of second stage labour: challenging the use of directed pushing. Midwives 8(4) 168-9

Walker, L.; Downe, S.; Gomez, L 2005 Skin Care in the Well Term Newborn: Two Systematic Reviews
Birth 32 (3) 224-228

Walker L, Gomez  L, Downe S 2005 NW clinical midwifery research network A survey of the provision of soaps and skin care products for well term neonates in maternity units in the North West region of England. British Journal of Midwifery 13(12),768 - 73

Downe S, Walsh D, Dykes F, Thornton JG, Symon A, Gyte G, Key E and Mossa M 2005  Are trials of place of birth feasible? eBMJ letter, posted 22 Aug 05 Available at:  http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/330/7505/1416 

Walsh D, Downe S 2006 Appraising the quality of qualitative research.  Midwifery 22, (2) 108-19

El-Nemer A, Downe S and Small N 2006  She would help me from the heart’: an ethnography of Egyptian women in labour. Social Science and Medicine 62 (1) 81-92

Downe S 2006 Randomly selecting trial sites may provide optimal population level generalisability. eBMJ letter, posted 18 Aug 06. Available at: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/333/7563/346

Perez-Botella M & Downe S 2006 Stories as evidence: why do midwives still use directed pushing British Journal of Midwifery 14 (10) 596-599

Perez-Botella M & Downe S 2006 Stories as evidence: the premature urge to push. British Journal of Midwifery 14 (11) 636-642

Downe S 2006 Engaging with the concept of unique normality in childbirth.   British Journal of Midwifery 14: 6 pp 352-356

Hall Moran V, Edwards J, Dykes F, Downe S. 2007 A systematic review of the nature of support for breast-feeding adolescent mothers. Midwifery. 23(2) 157-171

Downe S, Butler E, Hinder S, 2007  Screening tools for depressed mood after childbirth in UK-based South Asian women: a systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 57(6), 565–583  Reprinted (summary and comment) in MIDIRS 2007 17(3) p404

Downe S., Simpson L. & Trafford K. 2007  Expert intrapartum maternity care: a meta-synthesis. Journal of Advanced Nursing 57(2), 127–140

Jackson H, Melvin C, Downe S 2007 Midwives and the fetal nuchal cord: a survey of practices and perceptions. Journal of Midwifery and Womens Health 52  49-55

Byrom S, Downe S 2007 Narratives from the Blackburn West Caseholding team: Setting out and setting up. British Journal of Midwifery 15 (4) 225-227

Fleming A, Downe S 2007 Narratives from the Blackburn West Caseholding team: building up British Journal of Midwifery 15 (5) 298-301

Tyler S, Downe S, Day-Stirk F 2007 Sustaining innovation RCM Midwives Journal 10(5) 238-240

Downe S, Gyte G 2007 Hospital is the best place for all women to give birth. British Journal of Midwifery 15 (3) 156-7

Fleming A, Birch B, Booth C, Cooper J, Darwin J, Grady A, Downe S 2007 Narratives from the Blackburn West Caseholding team: Telling stories of success. British Journal of Midwifery 15 (6) 337-341

Downe S, Melvin C, Jackson H 2007 Cord management for nuchal cord. Rapid response, British Medical Journal , 2007; 335:17th august 2007 available at: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/335/7615/312#174783

Downe S,  McKeown M, Johnson E, Comensus Community Involvement Team, Comensus Advisory Group, Koloczek L, Grunwald A, Malihi-Shoja L. 2007 The UCLan  Engagement and Service User Support (Comensus) project: Valuing authenticity, making space for emergence. Health Expectations, 10(4):392-406.

Hodnett E, Downe S, Response to Critique of Cochrane systematic review of home-like setting for birth in the International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare (letter to the editor) Int J Evid Based Healthc 2007; 5: 365–366

Melvin C, Downe S 2007 Management of the nuchal cord: a summary of the evidence Br J Midwifery 15(10) 617-21

Downe, S. Melvin, C. Jackson, H.2007 Management of the nuchal cord: author reply.  Journal of Midwifery and Womens Health 52(5) 2007 525-526

Downe S 2007 Campaign for normal birth: Trust and Expertise. Midwives    Journal. 10 (2) 64

Downe S. 2008 Metasynthesis: a guide to knitting smoke. Evidence Based Midwifery 6(1): 4-8

Byrom S, Downe S 2010. ‘She sort of shines’: midwives accounts of ‘good’ midwifery and ‘good’ leadership . Midwifery: 26(1) 126-137

Walsh D Downe S 2008 "First comment on 2006-OG-3652R5: 'An estimation of intrapartum-related perinatal mortality rates for booked home births in England and Wales between 1994 and 2003.'  British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ( Letter) In Press.

Downe S, Gyte G, Walsh D (2008) Is maternity care evidence-based or interpretation-driven? Place of birth as an exemplar Midwifery 24. 247-249

Thomson G and Downe S (2008)  Widening the Trauma discourse: the link  between childbirth and experiences of abuse. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology 29(4):268-73

Downe S, Finlayson K, Walsh D, Lavender T 2009 'Weighing up and balancing out': a meta-synthesis of barriers to antenatal care for marginalised women in high-income countries'. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 116(4):518-29

Downe S 2009 Eating a light diet during labour (Invited editorial) British   Medical Journal 338

O’Connell R, Downe S 2009 A metasynthesis of midwives’ experience of hospital practice in publicly funded settings: compliance, resistance and authenticity. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine 13(6):589-609.

Thomson G, Downe S Changing the future to change the past: Women’s experiences of a positive birth following a traumatic birth experience. In press JRIP (Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology)

Downe S 2009 Taking normal birth forward. The Practising Midwife 12 (6)2-3

Steen-Greaves M, Downe S, Graham-Kevan N 2009 Men and women’s perceptions and experiences of attending an abusive behaviour management programme. Evidence Based Midwifery 7(4) 128-135

Downe S 2010 Beyond evidence-based medicine: complexity, and stories of maternity care. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice 16 (1) 232-237

Downe S, Finlayson K, Fleming A (in press) Creating a Collaborative Culture in Maternity Care. Journal of Midwifery and Womens Health,

Steen-Greaves M, Downe S, Graham-Kevan (in press) STOP Study (part 2):  Managing Emotions & Relationship Conflict during pregnancy and the transition to Parenthood. Evidence Based Midwifery

Downe S (in press) Normal Childbirth: making it happen in the UK  [commissioned for Portuguese journal]

Downe, S. 2010 Aus Sicht der Salutogenese. Hebammendiagnosen, Hebamme.ch, Vol. 108, No. 3, pp. 8-11

Cochrane collaboration systematic reviews
-Home-like settings, Hodnett, Downe, Walsh: final review submitted  to reviewers
-Methods of assessing progress in labour, Downe, Dahlen, Gyte Singata:  title accepted, protocol in preparation

Professional non-peer reviewed publications

Downe S 2004 Normal birth: a catalyst for maternal and societal well-being. 14th International Congress of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology conference, May 16-19, 2004 Conference Proceedings
United Kingdom, Edinburgh, Scotland, May 16-19, 2004

Downe S 2005. Rebirthing midwifery: 7th Zepherina Veitch memorial lecture. Midwives 8 (8) 346-49

Lavender T, Downe S, Finlayson K, Walsh D 2007 Access to antenatal care: A systematic review. Report for CEMACH February 2007. Available at: CEMACH http://cemach.interface-test.com/Publications/CEMACH-Publications/Maternal-and-Perinatal-Health/Access-to-antenatal-care-(Literature-review).aspx

Downe S, El-Nemer A, Wick L, Lessa H 2008 Midwives and normal childbirth.    ICM Congress daily newspaper, 3rd ed 4th June 2008 p2

Downe S, Byrom S, Finlayson K, Fleming A, 2009 Final Report
East Lancashire Childbirth Choices Project: Choice, safety and collaboration: final project report. Submitted to NHSNW, Jan 13th 2009

Downe S, Kingdon C, Thomson G, Finlayson K, Fleming A, Byrom S, Eichman H, Edge E 2009 Access to care? Final project report. Submitted to NWSHA May 2009

Regular columns

Nursing Times: Arena (1989-91: All Downe, S)

Practising preachers, 87:3, p30
A time to act, 87:11, p12
Who defines abnormality?, 87:18, p22
Morbid statistics, 87:27, p22
Innovate or vegetate, 86:1, p24
The price of progress, 86:8, p26
Midwives stand alone, 86:24, p22
Word power, 86:16, p24
Too important to care?, 86:31, p22
A noble vocation, 86:40, p24
Conflict of interest, 86:47, p14
Blind justice, 85:5, p24
Time to take stock, 85:12, p24
We must mean what we say, 85:20, p25
Secret doubts, 85:36, p24
The great divide, 85:28, p26
Crisis of confidence, 85:44, p24

British Journal of Midwifery*: Birthwrite column (1997-1999: All Downe, S)

The less we do, the more we give  5: 1 43
What is ‘childbirth’: time to interpret the Act? 5: 4 225
Choice in childbirth: whose agenda? 5: 7 423
Changing times: practice and practicalities  5:10 629
Practice and prejudice: 6: 1 19
Legislation and professional autonomy: is there a conflict? 6: 4 234
Caring and sharing: developing the art and science of midwifery 6: 7 427
Motherless mothers and social support: 6:10 682
Drug trials and pregnancy 7:1 52
Evidence and experience April 1999  7:4 258
Midwives, experts, and higher awards 7:7 430
Evidence and experience 7:10 608

Reports

MacFarlane S and Downe S (1999). The Southern Derbyshire Training and Education Project: continuing professional development in the maternity services. Available from : Maternity Research Department, Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Derby.

McCormick C and Downe S (2000) Trent Review: survey of LSA Officers (phase two). Available from Trent Regional Local Supervising Authority, c/o Fulwood House, Fulwood Rd, Sheffield.

Downe S, McFarlane S, Appleby S. 1998 Creating a multidisciplinary education and training system informed by the views of staff and service users. Changing Childbirth Summary Report. NHS Executive

Downe S, McFarlane S, Appleby S. 1998 Piloting the purchasing of maternity services by GP fundholders. Changing Childbirth Summary Report. NHS Executive

Theses

1999

Downe S (1999) Reducing the risk of adverse outcome for nulliparous women using epidural analgesia in labour: A randomised clinical trial and longitudinal follow-up survey reported in the context of three discourses; the nature of childbirth, the epistemology of research, and the role of participants in clinical trials. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Derby

Downe S (1994): Epidural analgesia and position in the passive second stage of labour. Unpublished MSc thesis. University of Derby

Projects

Dahlen H, Smeid V, Downe S, Tracey S
Facilitating physiological birth positioning in three different birth settings: An exploration into facilitators and inhibitors.
University of Western Sydney research grant scheme Nov 2008 $24655
SMD as advisor: no funding at this stage, but this will be the basis for a larger bid with full funding for all collaborators

Midwives views of midwifery expertise; a focus group study
L Simpson, K Trafford, S Downe
Institutional collaborators East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Funded: UCLan and ELHNHST.
£10,000  To Dec 08

Choice, risk and collaboration
Downe S and Byrom S
Institutional collaborators: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Funded:  DH Maternity Matters Early Adopter call
£15000  Jan-June 2008

NHSNW Vulnerable womens access to antenatal care study
Downe S, Kingdon C, Finlayson K, Thomson G, Byrom S, Eichmann H, Fleming A
Funded: NHSNW
£30,000 Oct 08-March 09

Edozien L, Downe S, Lester H, Reeves B, McGowan L, Steen M, Edge D, Roberts S
Engaging Partners in Childbirth (EPiC1): a feasibility study for a national programme of work.
Funded: Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals Research and Innovation Fund.
£20,500 Oct 2008-May 2009

Downe S, Byrom S, Finlayson K, Fleming A
Choice, risk and collaboration in maternity services (roll out)
Funded:  NHSNW
£50000  Sept 2009-May 2010

Downe S and the ReaCH and MAINN groups
NW NIH research design service
Funded: NIH NW
£60,000 July 2008-March 2011.

Downe S, Byrom S, Finlayson K, Fleming A
Choice, risk and collaboration in maternity services (roll out)
Funded: NHSNW
£50000 Sept 2009-Sept 2010 View protocol 1 document

Midwives views of midwifery expertise
L Simpson, K Trafford, S Downe
Institutional collaborators East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Funded: UCLan and ELHNHST.
£10,000  Complete  View paper

Choice, risk and collaboration
Downe S and Byrom S
Institutional collaborators: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Funded:  DH Maternity Matters Early Adopter call
£15000  Complete View report

NHSNW Vulnerable womens access to antenatal care study
Downe S, Kingdon C, Finlayson K, Thomson G, Byrom S, Eichmann H, Fleming A
Funded: NHSNW
£30,000 Complete View paper and view report

Downe S and the ReaCH and MAINN groups
NW NIH research design service
Funded: NIH NW
£38,000 July 2009-March 2011.
http://www.rds-nw.nihr.ac.uk/about/index.php

Dahlen H, Smeid V, Downe S, Tracey S
Facilitating physiological birth positioning in three different birth settings: An exploration into facilitators and inhibitors.
University of Western Sydney research grant scheme Nov 2008 $24655

Edozien L, Downe S, Lester H,  Reeves B,  McGowan L,  Steen M, Edge D, Roberts S
Engaging Partners in Childbirth (EPiC1): a feasibility study for a national programme of work.
Funded: Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals Research and Innovation Fund.
£20,500  April 2009-May 2010

Edozien L, Downe S, Lester H,  Reeves B,  McGowan L,  Steen M, Edge D, Roberts S
Engaging Partners in Childbirth (EPiC1): a feasibility study for a national programme of work.
Funded: Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals Research and Innovation Fund.
£20,500  Oct 2008-May 2009

Downe et al (UCLan, Universities of York Lancaster, Manchester, Sheffield, ELHNHST)
Self-hypnosis for intrapartum pain management (SHIP) trial
Funded:  Research for Patient Benefit Projects scheme
£243600 May 2010-April 2012 View Commissioned project

Downe et al
Childbirth Cultures, Concerns, and Consequences: Creating a dynamic EU framework for optimal maternity care
Funded: EU COST programme 400,000 euros July 2010- June 2014 View COST Action site:

NW Clinical midwives network
Midwives knowledge of and recommendation for alternative methods of labour induction: a survey of midwives in the north west of England
Infrastucture funding: final report in preparation

Hodnett, Downe, Walsh
Cochrane review (update): Home like settings for birth
Competed review with referees See the current review

Downe, Dahlen, Gyte, Singata
Cochrane review (new): Vaginal examination for assessing progress in labour
Protocol in development Please hyperlink to current review on Cochrane titles

Heazell et al
Views on the post-mortem examination in the neonatal period: a national survey of midwives and obstetricians
Funding: infrastructure
Data analysed, report in preparation

Heazell et al
The neonatal post-mortem: views of parents
Funding: £15000 SANDS
May 2010-Feb 2011

Downe et al (UCLan, Universities of York Lancaster, Manchester, Sheffield, ELHNHST)
Self-hypnosis for intrapartum pain management (SHIP) trial
Funded:  Research for Patient Benefit Projects scheme
£243600 August 2010-July 2012

Downe et al
Childbirth Cultures, Concerns, and Consequences: Creating a dynamic EU framework for optimal maternity care
Funded: EU COST programme 400,000 euros July 2010- June 2014

Heazell A, Downe S, Kingdon C
Parents experiences of postmortem for stillbirth
Funded:  SANDS: £15,000 to December 2011

Holleran J, Downe S
An ethnographic study to explore the use and impact of computerised systems within the birth suite at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.
Funded: Wellbeing of Women/Royal College of Midwives/British Maternal Fetal Medicine Society £20,000 Jan 2012 - Dec 2012

Consultancy

NW SHA consultancy on Research Catalyst programme £10,000 July 2010-June 2011

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: eEFM project
Senior editorship input (RCM nominee), (Jan 2010 to Dec 2010)

Downe S, Byrom S, Kingdon C, Finlayson K, Thomson G, Eichmann H, Fleming A
CSIP NW access to maternity services by women from vulnerable groups: a mapping study Oct 2008-March 2009

Research consultant on ‘Maternity Matters Early Adopter project: choice, collaboration and safety’
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, April-December 2008

Research consultant, ‘Why marginalized women don’t access antenatal care’ CEMACH, 2007

Consultation on R&D pre-protocol development, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Women’s Health R&D group. From 2006

Research consultant on ‘Recognising post natal depression through local interaction with ethnic minority women’ project, based in CommuniCare NHS Trust in Accrington, Lancashire 2003-2004

Training course to maximize normal childbirth in Hong Kong, October 2011 (2 groups of 40 midwives)

Product Development

Byrom S, Downe S, Day-Stirk F. Midwives work: promotional DVD relating to the work of midwives internationally, available from the Royal College of Midwives: http://www.rcm.org.uk/midwives/news/rcm-midwife-film-goes-global/ and Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NRfU3NRW_Y

External Activities

International

• International Confederation of Midwives expert researchers group From April 2002, Co-chair from February 2009
• Honorary Chair, University of Gothenburg, Sweden (visit April 2009), From Jan 2009
• International Confederation of Midwives Research Standing Committee (co-chair from January 2009)
• Global Alliance of Nursing and Midwifery Steering Group (invited member from January 2009)
• WHO IMPACT group Member from 2009
• Invitation to be a member of the Global Alliance of Nursing and Midwifery Steering Committee, 2008
• Visiting Professor, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong 2006-7
• Francine Gooris International Midwifery Chair Artevelde Hogeschool, Ghent, Belgium 2006-2008
• International Confederation of Midwives research standing committee Chair, programme planning subgroup From Dec 2005
• International confederation of midwives expert researchers group From April 2002
• Founder and coordinator, international normal birth elist, From 2001
• ADCAR RCT, Trinity College Dublin Invited member data monitoring committee

National

• Quality of Midwifery Care Steering Committee (Dharzi and midwifery 2020) - and Service Delivery sub-group, Invited member, July-Sept 2008
• Invitation to join Midwifery 2020 committees for England, and to be England rep on the Wales committee:  March 2009-Sept 2010
• Department of Health Midwifery 2020 Initiative (2009-2010): Steering committee member for England Sub-group member, Wales
• Medical Research Council: College of Experts Invited member, 2007-2009
• Member of advisory group; Open Minds Collaboration  National Think Tank (from October 2008)
• NPSA/RCOG/RCM  working group on improving patient safety in intrapartum care, Subgroup: designing criteria for acceptable evidence, Invited member and Chair Spring 2008-Sept 2008
• Lancashire and Cumbria NIH Research Design Service, Invited member from June 2008
• Invited membership: Perinatal Health Services Research Collaboration Meeting, St Marys Hospital Manchester. Collaboration member 2008-
• Invitation: to join the Virtual Sub Group of the Cumbria and Lancashire RaDiCaL Board
• Medical Research Council College of Experts Invited member From 2006
• External Examiner, University of UlsterFrom 2006
• CHiLS –Choice in Liverpool Study. Invited member of steering group, 2004-2006
• MIRU Advisory Group, University of Leeds Invited member from June 2003
• Royal College of Midwives Campaign for Normal Birth Founder member, steering group member, and Chair from autumn 2002
• Founder and coordinator of the North West Clinical Midwives Research Network

Consultancy

• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: eEFM project
• Senior editorship input (RCM nominee), (Jan 2010 to Dec 2010)
• (With Lavender, Walsh, Finlayson) Review of studies of why women do not access antenatal care, CEMACH. 2007
• Consultation on R&D pre-protocol development, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Women’s Health R&D group. From 2006.
• Research consultant on ‘Recognising post natal depression through local interaction with ethnic minority women’ project, based in CommuniCare NHS Trust in Accrington, Lancashire 2003-2004
• Research Degrees Tutor for Department of Midwifery Studies, University of Central Lancashire

Review activities

Research protocols (regular and invited on occasion)

Wellbeing
NHS SDO programme
NIH National Co-ordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development Personal Awards Scheme
NIH Research for Patient Benefit (projects) programme
ESRC
The R&D office, Northern Ireland health and social services central agency (small grant scheme)
Welsh Office for Research and Development (WORD) scheme

Editorial board membership

Evidence Based Midwifery Journal

Reviewer for submitted papers

British Medical Journal
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
British Journal of Midwifery
Archives of Disease in Childhood
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Midwifery
Health Expectations
Maternal and Child Nutrition
Western Journal of Nursing Research
MRC Population Health Science Fellowship

Invitations (apart from those noted above)

Downe S.  (2008) Invitation: to join the Virtual Sub Group of the Cumbria and Lancashire RaDiCaL Board

Downe S 2009 Member of invited international two day study group (n=20 approx) to address ways of achieving millennium development goals 4 and 5. Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, London, 14/15 Sept 2009

Downe S. (2009) Academy of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research (UK) : request from the Chair of the Academy (Tony Butterworth) to provide my career profile as a case study for the launch of the academy (Feb 2009)

Teleconference with Australian Health Department relating to collaboration issues as part of the new developments in Australian maternity care provision (19/10/2009)

Invitation to Middle East Choices and Challenges in Changing Childbirth network meeting to plan and design a multi-country multi-centre RCT on companionship in labour as part of the  5 year network bid for funding from the Wellcome Foundation. American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, November 19th -22nd 2009

Post-graduate supervision

Completed

MPhil x 1
PhD x 5
Masters by research x 1

Current, Internal

Maria Healey MPhil/PhD. Enrolled  Oct 2004 P/T
Redesigning postnatal care: identifying and meeting womens needs
Director of Studies

Rhona O’Connell MPhil/PhD.  Enrolled  Oct 2004 P/T
Exploring midwives views of midwifery in a hospital environment
Director of Studies

Jean Duckworth MPhil/PhD Enrolled  July 2007 P/T
Midwives use of alternative therapies
Director of Studies

Irene Lee MPhil/PhD Enrolled Oct 2008 P/T off campus [Hong Kong]
Hong Kong Chinese womens response to pain relief in labour
Director of Studies

Rita Parascandalo, MPhil/PhD, enrolled April 2009 P/T off campus [Malta]
Expectations and experiences of childbirth in Malta
Director of Studies

Kevin Kennedy, PhD, to submit 2010
Experiences of stalking
Director of Studies

Andrea Thorley-Baines. start Oct 2009 p/t bursary: Dept social work
Second supervisor
  
External supervision

Kim Russell MPhil/PhD Enrolled Jan 2007 P/T, transferred to University of Nottingham April 2009 with DoS
Second supervisor

External examination (postgraduate degrees)

MA by research
Sue Lennox, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand,  Sept  03

MPhil
Deborah Nicholson, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Oct 7th 2002
Karen Jackson , University of Nottingham, 2003
 
PhD
Ruth Surtees, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, June 2003
Gail Thomas , Thames Valley University, Oct 22nd  2003
Lynne Nicholls, University of Plymouth, April 18th 2007
Joanne Kinnane The University of Newcastle, Australia, May  2008
Maryam Gholitabar, Thames Valley University, Sept 4th 2008
Liz Edwards, University of Glamorgan, Feb 6th 2008

Internal examination

MSc by research
Jennifer Casson, November 4th 2005

PhD
Alison Twycross Dec 15th 2003
Christine Hartley June 29th 2004
Russell Gurbutt, May 23rd 2005
Sarah Russell 2008
Carol Wallace 2009

Invited lectures and workshops

International

• Downe S 2007 Invited workshop attendee, Choices and Challenges in Changing Childbirth Group, American University of Beirut. January 21st-23rd 2008, Beirut, Lebanon
• Downe S 2007 Keynote address, Australian College of Midwives Conference, Canberra, Australia, September 2007
• Downe S (2007) Visiting professor programme, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong January 2007
• Downe S. (2007) Advanced Midwifery Practice Postgraduate programme Department of Nursing Sciences University of Ghent, Belgium, April 16th 2007
• Downe S (2006) Caring for birth.  Flemish Association of Midwives Biannual Francine Gooris conference: Keynote address one: What is normal birthω Keynote address two: Is there a future for normal birthω Ghent, Belgium, March 9th 2006
• Downe S (2006) Postgraduate programme, University of Ghent: Advanced Midwifery Practice, University of Ghent, Department of Nursing Sciences, Belgium, April 24th 2006
• Downe S (2006) Research seminar, School Of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. Promoting normal birth: research evidence and story telling University College Dublin, Ireland, May 3rd
• Downe S (2005) ReHuNa 2nd international maternity care conference on the humanisation of childbirth. Stories as evidenced in childbirth systems, Workshop and panel discussion, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov 30th-Dec 3rd
• Downe S (2004) 14th International Congress of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Normal birth: a catalyst for maternal and societal well-being., Edinburgh May 16-19,
• Downe S (2004) New Zealand College of Midwives Biannual Conference, Keynote address The Will to Midwifery: reclaiming love, faith, trust and belief in childbirth
  And
  Stories of self: Old ways of knowing, new ways of understanding, Wellington, New Zealand, September 2004
• Downe S (2004) Japanese midwives and obstetricians conferences, Keynote address The Will to Midwifery: reclaiming normal birth, Tokyo, Japan Oct` 30th 2004& Kyoto, Japan, 31.10.04
• Downe S (2003) European Perinatal Epidemiology Network Measuring the outcome of pregnancy in Europe conference. Overview of common measures used to assess maternal outcomes. Department of Physics, University of Oxford, 3.10.03
• Downe S (2002) Northern Ireland Board of the RCM & Midwives Section of the Irish Nurses Organisation conference Keynote address Salutogenic Birth: Exploring the potential for well-being in midwifery research and practice: making the case for normality, Dublin, Ireland, 21.11.03

Invited, UK, for a national audience

• Downe S (2009) Mama conference Ayr conference centre, Scotland, Friday 27th March 2009
• Downe S (2008) Keynote address Celebrating Birth Centres and Midwifery Led Units  Birth Centres, their Evaluation & the Normal Birth Agenda conference, UCLan, November 17th 2008
• Downe S, (2007) RCOG/ENTER conference: Risk management and medico-legal issues in women’s health Midwifery-led care: risk management issues RCOG London 25th-26th April 2007
• Downe S, (2007) White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Midwifery in the 1970s May 4th, 2007 2006
• Downe S (2006) The 4th National Conference on Current Issues in Midwifery, Debate: ‘Hospital delivery is best’ The Royal Aeronautical Society, London 2/11/06
• Downe S (2006) School of Health Science, University of Wales Seminar programme 'The role of practitioners skill and patients values in Sacketts definition of evidence based medicine: accounts from maternity care' School of Health Science, University of Wales Swansea 29/3/06
• Downe S (2005) Children and Young peoples network maternity workshop Free-standing birth centres: evidence and debate Stockport Football Stadium 12th Jan 2005
• Downe S (2005) Birth International conference Using research to inform choice (workshop)
• University of Reading, 9/04/05,
• Downe S (2005) Babylifeline organization, National service framework for children; a blueprint for contemporary maternity care conference What is normal birth in the 21st century Coventry University Technology park 21/4/05
• Downe S (2005) Isle of Man Maternity care conference Normal birth and intervention: evidence, stories, and the RCM campaign Nobles Hospital, Isle of Man 28/04/05
• Downe S (2005) Royal College of Midwives annual conference Zepheria Vetch lecture keynote address
• Rebirthing midwifery:  Stories of our past, present and future Harrogate Conference Centre 13/5/05
• Downe S (2005) Liverpool Women’s Hospital midwifery research in practice conference ‘Is research making a difference to intrapartum care’ω Blair Bell education centre, Liverpool Women’s Hospital 7/10/05
• Downe S (2005) UK Supervisors of midwives conference, Building the (super)vision:  Making normal birth the norm Royal Society of Physicians, London, 14/11/ 2005. 
• Downe S (2004) Reducing caesarean births conference Keeping birth normal Russell Hotel, London, 18th March 2004
• Downe S (2004) Maternity statistics – a mayday call, Health statistics users group conference Developing normal birth statistics, Oliver Thompson lecture Theatre, City University, London May 1st 2004
• Downe S (2003) Association of supervisors of midwives Keynote speaker Promoting normality through birth centres Stoke on Trent, 10/4/03
• Downe S (2003) Pushing prior to full dilation: is it always pathologicalω Staff research interest group Burnley Hospital, Burnley, 12/06/03
• Downe S (2003) June Women centred research: the human approach The Liverpool and Aintree Midwives research interest group/UCLan A midwife is a midwife is a midwifeω Lessons from team midwifery study Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, 10/10/2003,
• Downe S (2003)  Building health in the community; women children and public health Queens Park Hospital Blackburn/Uclan conference  Childbirth and public health Queens Park Hospital Blackburn, 1/10/03
• Downe S (2003) European perinatal statistics network conference Measuring maternal outcome Department of Physics, Oxford, 3/10/03
• Downe S (2002) RCM UK Board for Wales Annual St David’s Day conference What is normalityω Cardiff 28/2/2002
• Downe S (2002) RCM annual conference Keynote speaker Launching the salutogenesis programme –birth as a catalyst for health.  Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth 1/5/02
• Downe S (2002) NCT annual conference  Debate; physiological birth is abnormal in the year 2002 Kings College, London 21/6/02  
• Downe S (2001) Royal Society of Medicine Active Birth, Active Management conference Physiological birth in the year 2001 is abnormal birth. A discussion of the evidence and its implications. London 20/4/2001
• Downe S (2001) Midwives Information and Resource Service Hot Topics Study Day Defining normal birth, evidence from the Trent Normal Birth Survey City Hospital, Birmingham. 21/5/2001
• Downe S (2001) Oxford Brookes University national conference Keeping birth normal: the art and the science Oxford Brookes University, Oxford. 9/11/01
• Downe S (2001) RCM Student Midwives conference Defining parameters of normality in the 21st century London 13/11/01
• Downe S (2001) RCN Midwifery Society Midwives breaking new ground conference Pushing prior to full dilation: right or wrongω Birmingham 30/11/01
• Downe S (2000) Midwives Information and Resource Service Hot topics study day Epidurals: improving the outcomes University College of Worcester, 6/6/2000

Invited, for a local audience

• Downe S. (2008) Keynote address
  Celebrating Birth Centres and Midwifery Led Units
  Birth Centres, their Evaluation & the Normal Birth Agenda conference,
  UCLan, November 17th 2008
• NCT annual regional members’ day. Keynote Speaker 3rd March 2007 Salvation Army building, Preston, Lancashire

Other invitations

• Visiting professor: Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, 2009 (visit April 26th-30th 2009)
• Invitation: to join the Virtual Sub Group of the Cumbria and Lancashire RaDiCaL Board
• Invitation to be a member of the Global Alliance of Nursing and Midwifery Steering Committee
• Invited membership: Perinatal Health Services Research Collaboration Meeting, St Marys Hospital Manchester
• External assessor, Interview panel for Professor of Midwifery, University of Bournemouth, Oct 2008
• Member of advisory group; Open Minds Collaboration  Natoinal Think Tank (from October 2008)
• Academy of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research (UK) : request from the Chair of the Academy (Tony Butterworth) to provide my career profile as a case study for the launch of the academy (Feb 2009)

External collaborators

UK

Cathie Melvin, ELHT
Catherine Gedling ELHT
Sheena Byrom ELHT
 
NW Clinical R&D group: Clinical midwives in Trusts across the NW of England
 
Denis Walsh, University of Nottingham
Chris McCourt, Thames Valley University
 
Frances Day-Stirk, Royal College of Midwives
 
Mary Steen, University of Chester
Leroy Edozien, University of Manchester, St Marys Hospital Manchester
Alex Heazell, University of Manchester, St Marys Hospital, Manchester
 
Mary Renfrew, University of York
Helen Spiby, University of York
 
Pauline Slade, University of Sheffield
 
Peter Diggle, University of Lancaster

Europe

COST network (see: http://www.cost.esf.org/domains_actions/isch/Actions/(acno)/2)
Marie Berg, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Cecily Begley, Trinity College Dublin
Olga Gouni, Greece
Mary Newburn, National Childbirth Trust
Gill Gyte, Cochrane Collaboration
Miranda Dodwell, birthchoice uk
 
Lucy Frith, University of Liverpool

Rest of the world

Frances Day-Stirk, International Confederation of Midwives
Holly Kennedy, Yale, USA
Ellen Hodnett, University of Toronto, Canada
Amina el-Nemer, University of Mansoura,  Egypt
Jocelyn De Jong, University of Beirut, Lebanon
Dr. Tamar Kabakian-Khasholian, University of Beirut, Lebanon
Hannah Dahlen, University of Western Sydney
Virginia Smeid, University of Western Sydney
Grace Edwards, Dubai
Ngai Fen CHEUNG,Hangzhou Normal University, China

Conferences

2004    

14th International Congress of Psychosomatic Obstetrics &   Gynaecology. Normal birth: a catalyst for maternal and societal well-being.
Edinburgh May 16-19,

Keynote address:
New Zealand College of Midwives Biannual Conference
The Will to Midwifery: reclaiming love, faith, trust and belief in childbirth
And
Stories of self: Old ways of knowing, new ways of understanding
Wellington, New Zealand, Sept 04

Keynote address:
The Will to Midwifery: reclaiming normal birth
Tokyo, Japan Oct` 30th 2004 & Kyoto, Japan, Oct 31st 2004

Reducing caesarean births conference
Keeping birth normal
Russell Hotel, London, 18th March 2004

Maternity statistics – a mayday call
Health statistics users group conference
Developing normal birth statistics
Oliver Thompson lecture Theatre, City University, London May 1st 2004

2005

ReHuNa 2nd international maternity care conference on the humanisation of childbirth
Stories as evidenced in childbirth systems. Workshop and panel discussion
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov 30th-Dec 3rd 2005

International Confederation of Midwives 26th triennial congress
The nature and timing of assessment of maternal postnatal outcomes related to intrapartum clinical trials: a scoping review
27/7/05 Brisbane, Australia

Children and Young peoples network maternity workshop
Free-standing birth centres: evidence and debate
12th Jan 2005 Stockport Football Stadium

Birth International conference
Using research to inform choice (workshop)
9/04/05, University of Reading

Babylifeline organisation
National service framework for children; a blueprint for contemporary maternity care conference
What is normal birth in the 21st century?
Coventry University Technology park 21/4/05

Isle of Man Maternity care conference
Normal birth and intervention: evidence, stories, and the RCM   campaign
28/04/05 Nobles Hospital, Isle of Man

Royal College of Midwives annual conference
Zepheria Vetch lecture keynote address
Rebirthing midwifery:  Stories of our past, present and future
13/5/05 Harrogate Conference Centre

Liverpool Womens Hospital midwifery research in practice conference
’Is research making a difference to intrapartum care’?
Blair Bell education centre, Liverpool Women’s Hospital 7/10/05

UK Supervisors of midwives conference,  Building  the (super)vision:  Making normal birth the norm
Royal Society of Physicians, London, 14/11/ 2005.  

Walsh D and Downe S
Birth Centre Skills As Nurturance: Moving Beyond A Clinical Focus
British Sociological Association Human Reproduction Study Group
Presented by Walsh
The Open University, Accenture Conference Centre, Milton Keynes
8th December 2005

2006

Flemish Association of Midwives
Biannual Francine Gooris conference: ‘Caring for birth’
Keynote address one: What is normal birth?
Keynote address two: Is there a future for normal birth?
Ghent, Belgium, March 9th 2006

Postgraduate programme
Department of Nursing Sciences
University of Ghent
Advanced Midwifery Practice
University of Ghent, Belgium, April 24th 2006

Research seminar
School Of Nursing, Midwifery And Health Systems
University College Dublin,
Promoting normal birth: research evidence and story telling
University College Dublin, Ireland, May 3rd 2006

School of Health Science, University of Wales Seminar programme
'The role of practitioners skill and patients values in Sacketts definition of evidence based medicine: accounts from maternity care'
School of Health Science, University of Wales Swansea 29/3/06

British Journal of Midwifery
The 4th National Conference on Current Issues in Midwifery
Debate: ‘Hospital delivery is best’
The Royal Aeronautical Society, London 2/11/06

2007

Visiting professor programme,
Workshops & Keynote address
 Is there a future for normal birth? Insights from research and story-telling.
Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong  Feb 3rd-9th  2007    

Postgraduate programme
Department of Nursing Sciences
University of Ghent
Advanced Midwifery Practice
University of Ghent, Belgium, April 16th 2007

Keynote address
Australian College of Midwives Conference
Canberra, Australia
24th-28th September 2007

RCOG/ENTER conference: Risk management and medico-legal issues in women’s health
Midwifery-led care: risk management issues
RCOG London 25th-26th April 2007

White Ribbon Alliance conference: Midwives saving lives together
Midwifery in the 1970’s
Merseyside Maritime Museum, 4th May 2007

Metasynthesis: a guide to knitting smoke
Academic seminar
University of Belfast, 1st November 2007

2008

Choices and Challenges in Changing Childbirth research group
Invited workshop presentation: moving from research to advocacy to improve childbirth Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
21-23 Jan 2008 

Keynote address
First International Scientific Day: Making Child birth Safer: Applying Evidence Based Practice
Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt
24th January 2008

Masters in midwifery teaching
University Master in Clinical Diagnosis for midwives
Midwives competences to monitor the normal pregnancy
University of Florence, Italy, 31st March 2008

Postgraduate programme
Department of Nursing Sciences
University of Ghent
Advanced Midwifery Practice
University of Ghent, Belgium, April 14th 2008

Keynote address
Annual conference : normal childbirth
Flemish Organisation of Midwives
Dworp, Belgium 5th May 2008

Invited expert
Reproduction as Culture Research Group working group and seminar
Asahikawa Medical College Japan
March 25-27 2008 (unable to attend) 

International Confederation of Midwives 27th triennial congress
(symposium) Best Practice: Normal Newborn Transition and Umbilical Cord Management at Birth ICM Mercer J, Jenny Edwin J, Closson Ross S, Erickson-Owens D, Downe S, Melvin C

(paper) Midwives, what they say about hospital labour ward midwifery. A metasynthesis
O'Connell, R; Downe, S
(paper) 'High Risk Women and Access to Antenatal Care in Developed Countries: A Metasynthesis'.
Finlayson K, Downe S, Lavender T, Walsh D
3-6 June 2008 Glasgow, Scotland

Keynote address
Celebrating Birth Centres and Midwifery Led Units
Birth Centres, their Evaluation & the Normal Birth Agenda conference,
UCLan, November 17th 2008

MIDIRS Digest
WebInAir
Reframing the place of birth debate: from professional project to authentic choice
Accessed 1st April 2008

Steen M, Downe S, Fisher D, Rigby K
Involving Fathers in Maternity Care: Best Practice - UCLAN/Fatherhood Institute.
NMC Annual Midwifery Conference,
18th Nov 2008

Show case of research in East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
ELHNHST 2008

University of Lancaster School of Health and Medicine
Colloquium
Reproductive Medicine and Childbirth
University of Lancaster 21 November 2008

2009

Invited teaching session
Masters in Nursing Course
Advanced practice in nursing
University of Ghent, Belgium, March 2nd 2009

Invited workshop
Mama conference
Ayr conference centre, Scotland, Friday 27th March 2009

Honorary Professorial Address
University of Gothenburg, Sweden
28th April 2009

RCOG/ENTER conference: Risk management and medico-legal issues in women’s health
CNST, RCOG and other standards: is the plethora of standards confusing or reinforcing?
RCOG London 7 May 2009. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London
Also invited to chair the day and join the panel

Keynote lecture
Portuguese Association of Nurse Midwives national scientific meeting Promoting practices of Normal Birth - what scientific evidence?
Almada,  Portugal 13th May 2009 

Invited address (invitation only workshop)
European Science Federation  Exploratory Workshop
Can Complexity Improve European Health Policy?
Complexity and Childbirth
Lancaster (UK), 23-25 September 2009

Invited speaker
MAMA conference
Normal birth: what is it now?
26th September 2009 , Torquay

Invited visit
Research collaboration visit and presentations
University of Western Sydney, Australia
October 2009

     14/10/2009 workshop in metasynthesis:
     am students of UWS
     pm staff (nursing and midwifery) of UWS

     16/10/2009
     Keynote address: ‘Redemptive birth’ (Downe and Thomson)
     Trauma to Triumph conference
     Karatine conference centre, Sydney, Australia

     19/10/2009
     AHS forum
     University of Western Sydney
     Normal birth: from policy and rhetoric to action

2010

Invited Keynote lectures

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Congress, 2010, DubaiMidwifery conference: evidence based midwifery in the UAE
Using Evidence to Influence Midwifery Practice (x2 lectures)
15 – 16 February 2010
Dubai

Invited workshop
The mid-Atlantic conference on birth and primal health research
Learning from unusual normality: salutogenesis, complexity and uncertainty in maternity care
26th 28th February 2010.
The  Canary Islands Convention Centre, Las Palmas, Spain.

Invited Keynote lecture
Interprofessional Breathing New Life into Maternity Care conference
Australian College of Midwives (ACM), Royal Australian College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Alice Springs,  Australia July 1-3 2010.

Invited lecture
Doctoral Society of Midwives: first conference. 
University of  Ulster Sept 1-3  2010

Peer reviewed international

Kingdon C, Downe S, Finlayson K, Thomson G, Byrom S, Eichman H, Fleming A
The Social Organization of Health Care: In Whose Interests?
 SSSP Annual Meeting
 Non-access to antenatal care in the UK: Women’s prerogative or social problem?
San Franciso, USA, 2009 (Presented by K Finlayson)