Department of Midwifery and Radiography

Staff activities

The Midwifery division builds on strong international relations via the research conducted at the Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (MCHR) and the Midwifery Unit Network (MUNet), a community of practice focused on supporting the implementation and improvement of birth centres in Europe.

Current projects include:

• The creation of a Confederation of Birth Centre Networks existing in different countries.
• Improving midwifery-led care in low and middle income countries
• Midwifery Unit Network - first European Conference, Barcelona
• Collaboration with several European partners following the first European Midwifery Unit Standards (launched at City, University of London in 2018), to translate the standards in other country settings
• Collaboration with several universities across Europe and further afield to empower midwifery undergraduate and postgraduate training and enhance women’s maternity care globally. Our lecturers are regularly invited as visiting lecturers to locations such as Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Turkey, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Japan.

Student opportunities

International placements are encouraged as they offer a unique opportunity to experience how services are organised, and how the midwives’ role and women’s right to autonomy can vary in different countries. For example, BSc students have the option to travel for an elective placement as part of the Anthropology of Childbirth Module to observe midwifery in different cultural settings.

In August-September 2019 we have offered a new exciting opportunity for an Erasmus exchange placement with the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. The exchange offers our students the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in areas such as practical perineal suturing skills, upright birthing positions, manual protection of the perineum, neonatal resuscitation.

Students apply for these opportunities directly through the Division of Midwifery and Radiography.

Summer School

We offer an innovative Summer School in Philosophy, Evidence and Skills for Optimum Birth, designed for international midwives and obstetricians as well as other maternity care providers.

The Summer School involves 5 days of workshops, seminars and visits to local services, including a birth centre.

Staff activities

Radiography staff (both diagnostic and radiotherapy) working at City can avail of mobility grants available to undertake a short exchange placement in a European university

Both staff and students benefit from incoming and outgoing visits, for example a recent visit from Indiana University, School of Medicine.

Student opportunities

The broad scientific and clinical content of our programmes instil the attributes of reflective practice; lifelong learning; critical thinking and problem solving that prepare students to work nationally and internationally. Current radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging students at City can apply to undertake elective placements during years 2 and 3 of their studies. The division currently has active links with Malta, but students can be supported to undertake an elective placement in a country of their choice (excluding America).

UK BSc (Hons) in Radiography qualifications are recognised worldwide. However, enquiries need to be made in advance of applying for international Radiography positions as each country has specific requirements and regulatory bodies that need to be satisfied.

Students apply for these opportunities directly through the Division of Midwifery and Radiography.