Carla Avery

Before joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2021, I was Course lead and Senior Midwifery lecturer for the University of Bedfordshire. Whilst there, I taught across the programme, with a passion for communication and obstetric emergency training, whilst also leading on the undergraduate paramedic obstetric and neonatal unit. Prior to education, I was a senior Midwife in the NHS since 1997, caring for women, newborns and families across the continuum of care, ensuring women felt empowered to have the birth experience of their choice. 

I studied for my (Ma MedED) Master’s in Medical Education at the University of Bedfordshire which culminated in a phenomenological study of the lived experience of final year student midwives and their mentorship experience. This demonstrated the power of the relationship between mentor and mentee, something which can greatly impact learning. Further interest into the impact on confidence paramedics when receiving obstetric training for pre-hospital care will be the topic of further studies. 

In March 2024, I have commenced my Professional Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) at Staffordshire University. The focus of the research will be around the impact of the Self Care thread that we have embedded throughout our curriculum. The purpose to ensure that student midwives recognise and prioritise their own wellbeing, to ensure that the care for women, birthing people, newborns and families is safe and compassionate. 

I am a member of the NMC register as Registered Midwife and Registered Teacher. I also am a member of the RCM (Royal college of Midwives).

My specialist knowledge has led me to work with HEE, NMC and Skills for health through the development of the Apprenticeship standards for midwifery, PROMPT (Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional training) in the provision of Pre-hospital obstetric training and interprofessional working.

My greatest moments are watching those lightbulb moments in class when the “get it”, and seeing the students graduate into autonomous, safe compassionate practitioners.

Latest publications:

Avery, C.J & Madeley. A (2023) 'Managing emergencies at home’, in A. Madeley (ed.) Homebirth. Uk: Elsevier, Pg 107-129.

Rochon, R., Knight, J., Smith, M., Avery, C. and Allen, N. (2023) Evaluating SELF: a new model of reflection for learning and promoting wellbeing. Advance HE's Mental Wellbeing in HE Conference 2023: Putting theory into practice - Creating a whole university approach to student and staff wellbeing. Manchester, 16 May 2023.

Wareing, M., England, J. A., Mathew, D., Ball, C., Willetts, A., Kemp, J., Clifford, K., Thompson, A., Dove, I., & Adams, L. (2020). Capturing Debriefing and Enhancing Reflection within Simulated Clinical Learning Environments. International Journal of Practice-Based Learning in Health and Social Care, 8(1), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v8i1.565

Ball C.J (2019) Supporting women in labour, Have we lost the skill? A personal reflection. The Practicing midwife, May 2019, Vol 22 Issue 5. 

• Associate Professor
• LME (Lead Midwife for Education)