Dr Taniya Roberts | University of Chester

Head of Midwifery

As Head of Department for Midwifery, Child and Reproductive Health, I am highly committed to ensuring that the student experience is central to the delivery of excellent academic and service delivery. I advocate a compassionate and authentic leadership style. I am very proud of the academic team, who bring diverse experiences, currency in clinical practice, expertise, quality and enjoyment of teaching to fully engage students in learning.

Another role I have is that of being the Lead Midwife for Education (LME): ‘The lead midwife for education is responsible for midwifery education in the relevant approved education institution and is suitably qualified and experienced to lead and advise on matters relating to midwifery education. The lead midwife for education must be a midwife who holds registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2019, p22).

I joined the University in 2004 and my teaching experience has encompassed a broad spectrum of subjects. I promote active teaching and learning strategies via a blended approach to encourage student engagement within all programmes.

I have been Programme Lead for BSc (Hons) Midwifery and Return to Practice Midwifery. Module lead for a number of undergraduate and postgraduate modules. Integral to the role of being a senior lecturer in Midwifery is that of being an Academic Assessor, Academic Link to Practice, Cohort Lead and Personal Academic Tutor. I have written and published numerous articles on the application of research methodologies and co-authored ‘The Handbook of Midwifery Research’.

Prior to becoming a lecturer I worked in various midwifery roles and settings in London from Team, Intrapartum, Community Midwifery and as a Specialist Midwife in Fetal Echocardiography and as a Research Midwife in Bristol, where I participated in and led midwifery specific research projects. I also worked as a Sister in Nursing and was in the position of Acting Night Manager at the Royal London Hospital before becoming Research Sister in Ovarian Cancer Screening at King’s College Hospital, London.

As Head of Department, I have had to step back from my teaching role, but continue to be involved, where possible in assisting the midwifery team with simulation teaching utilising high fidelity simulators, research and maternity services governance strategies.

Previously, I have contributed to the Doctor of Professional Studies Programme, MSc in Maternal and Reproductive Health, BSc (Hons) Midwifery Programme, BSc (Hons) Nursing Programme, MEd Programme as module leader for Curriculum Design & Development, BSc (Hons) Professional Practice Programme as a module leader for the Change Proposal Dissertation and Evidenced Based Change Implementation Dissertation. I have taught the majority of subjects within the Midwifery Programme and have a particular interest and passion for research.

I supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students’ research dissertations. I currently supervise two PhD students.

My research interests include maternal obesity care, care of women undergoing obstetric emergencies, and the utilisation of qualitative research methodologies. I enjoy teaching the application of research methodology to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

My PhD study utilised the research methodology of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore what it means to midwives and student midwives on the point of qualification to care for women with BMIs >30kg/m2 during the childbirth continuum.

Journal Articles:

Roberts, T. (2017). PhD Research: Realities from Practice. Midwives,

24th May, pp. 40 (Summer ed.). Retrieved from rcm.org.uk/midwives.

Roberts, T. (2013). Understanding the Research Methodology of

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. British Journal of

Midwifery, 21(3), 215-218.

Roberts, T. (2012). Understanding Survey Research: Applications and process. British Journal of Midwifery, 20(2), 114-120.

Roberts, T. (2009). Understanding Ethnography. British Journal of Midwifery, 17(5), 291-294.

Roberts, T. (2008). Understanding Grounded Theory. British Journal of Midwifery, 16(10), 679-681.

Mapp, T. (2008). Understanding Phenomenology: the lived experience.

British Journal of Midwifery, 16(5), 308-311.

Mapp, T; & Hudson, K. (2005). Feelings & Fears during Obstetric

Emergencies1. British Journal of Midwifery, 1(13), 30-35.

Mapp, T. (2005). Feelings & Fears during Obstetric Emergencies 2.

British Journal of Midwifery, 1(13), 36-40.

Mapp, T. (2000). Fetal Echocardiography & Congenital Heart Disease. Professional Care of Mother & Child. 1(10), 9-11.

Steen, M; & Roberts, T. (2011). The Consequences of Pregnancy and Birth for the Pelvic Floor. British Journal of Midwifery. 19(11), 692-698.

Book

Steen, M; & Roberts, T. (2011). The Handbook of Midwifery Research.

Chichester, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

Conference Presentations:

Oral Presentation - Caring for women with raised BMIs during the childbirth continuum: Realities from practice. 31st International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Congress. Midwives – Making a difference in the world. Toronto, Canada. 20th June 2017.
Oral Presentation - Realities from Practice: What it means to midwives and student midwives to care for women with BMIs ≥30kg/m2 during the childbirth continuum. Maternity, Midwifery & Baby Conference, Manchester, England. 22nd September 2015.
Oral Presentation – Women’s Experiences of Obstetric Emergencies. Royal College of Midwives Conference. Cardiff, Wales. 2005.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Chester (2017)
Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Education (PGDE), University of Chester (2008)
MSc Reproduction and Health, University of Wales (2003)
BSc (Hons) Professional Studies in Midwifery, University of the West of England (1998.)
Registered Midwife (RM) (1992)
Registered General Nurse (RGN) (1985)
ENB N21 Genetic Counselling Certificate (1997)
ENB 901 Family Planning in Society Certificate (1994)
ENB 997 Teaching and Assessing (1994)
ENB 225 Gynaecological Nursing Certificate (1989)

I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.