Centre for Midwifery and Women's Health Research

The Centre for Midwifery and Women's Health Research is the research arm of the Midwifery department at AUT, and is guided by an external advisory group.

Developing leadership in midwifery

We are committed to building partnerships, knowledge and skills through education and research, in order to improve the quality and provision of care for women and families.

Our overall aim is to develop a unique position of leadership internationally in midwifery partnership and practice. We aim to assist and support midwives and women to be informed by relevant 'evidence' in practice by working collaboratively with individuals, families, institutions, health service funders and providers, professional bodies and community organisations, with the goal of fostering improved childbirth experiences.

Those involved with the Centre recognise that childbirth and women's health practice, the experience of childbirth and other matters of significance to women are intertwined with the socio-political fabric of society, and we aim for an improved understanding of the broader concerns related to women and family health.

Underpinning the research at the Centre is the importance of partnership and collaboration bound in our commitment to Te Tiriti O Waitangi and by the philosophy of the New Zealand College of Midwives.

Centre directors

Associate Professor Judith McAra-Couper email: jmcaraco@aut.ac.nz

Associate Professor Deborah Payne email: dpayne@aut.ac.nz 

Dr Andrea Gilkison email: agilkiso@aut.ac.nz