BU Research Blog

The Centre for Midwifery and Women’s Health hosted their second Women’s Health Research Symposium on Tuesday 25th June 2024, sharing women’s health research from across Dorset.

The event was funded by the Centre for Midwifery and Women’s Health, The Women’s Academic Network, and The Doctoral College. The event provided an opportunity for academics, clinicians, researchers, and third-sector organisations to network, discuss ideas, and outline key priorities in women’s healthcare.  

The themes of the presentation mirrored the priorities of the Women’s Health Strategy for England including tackling inequalities and wider determinants of health, improving access to services, health promotion through education, women’s mental health, and supporting women’s health throughout the life course. Keynote speakers included Dr Michael Dooley, Visiting Professor at BU (Bournemouth University) and Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Helen Crook, Strategy and Transformation Programme Manager leading on the Dorset Women’s Health Hub, and Marianne Storey, Chair of the Dorset Women CIC.  

Part-funded by The Doctoral College Culture and Community grant, the event aimed to highlight the work of our postgraduate researchers. A range of posters and oral presentations were delivered by BU postgraduate students including Rosie Harper, Eunhee Kim, Umarah Mahmood, Sara Ahmadi, Pritika Gurung, Megan Chesters, Abier Hamidi, Kate Rattley, and Nurudeen Adesina.  

Academics from the BU Centre for Midwifery and Women’s Health also discussed new research findings including new consensus recommendations on cold water swimming in pregnancy (Dr Malika Felton) and the lived experience of LGBTQ+ parents who breast/chest-fed their children (Dr Sarah Hillier). We also welcomed Associate Professor Alyx Taylor from AECC University College to discuss her work around the identification of perinatal mental health needs. 

In addition to a range of engaging oral presentations, we invited Dr Humaira Khan (AECC University College) to display her foetal alcohol syndrome simulator, and Pauline Ferrick-Squibb (Arts University Bournemouth) to showcase her quilt that was created through participatory research with women sharing their experience of menopause. The event concluded with a panel discussion with BU’s Women’s Academic Network and research centres including the Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health, Ageing & Dementia Research Centre, andCentre for Seldom Heard Voices. 

The second Women’s Health Research Symposium was a success, and we look forward to inviting delegates back to the university next year. The event provided an opportunity for academics, clinicians, and stakeholders to make collaborative partnerships to improve women’s health across Dorset.