Dr Stephanie Heys

In her current role, Stephanie leads on the year long Society, Health and Nursing care module. This module focuses on person centred approached to nursing acknowledging the bio-psycho-social aspects of health that contribute to wellbeing. Stephanie also lectures on the MSc modules with a particular interest in research methods and innovation in nursing practice. Interests also include maternity research with Stephanie working on numerous research projects within the THRIVE hub at UCLan. Her PhD research draws upon the pedagogical works of Paulo Freire and critical theory focused on emancipatory education utilising virtual reality technologies as an embodiment of the other. Areas of interest also include the political, economical and social influences upon healthcare including a focus on experiences of stigma amongst disadvantaged and vulnerable women within maternity care.

Stephanie has worked for the last ten years in East Lancashire in both Nursing and Midwifery roles. Funded by the National Institute for Health Research, her doctoral studies focused on reducing traumatic birth experiences through the design and delivery of an immersive educational programme for maternity professions, sensitising them to the potential for birth trauma amongst disadvantaged and vulnerable women. Stephanie Lectured midwifery previously at The University of Manchester and has worked on international midwifery projects in sub Saharan Africa. Experience also includes working with industry, international organisations and key stakeholders in maternity focused on enhancing interpersonal care, utilising experiential educational approaches. Postdoctoral interest include the exploration of (dis)respectful maternity care and the role immersive education can play in addressing structural, systemic and interpersonal relations to improve women’s experiences. Alongside her lecturing role Stephanie is currently working on an international project with the ICM focused of the design and delivery of respectful care workshops in low-income countries. Human rights, maternal mental health and the psych-social needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable women in maternity services remain key areas of interest for future research projects.