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Understanding the barriers UK midwives face in leading research: A critical discussion paper

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PROBLEM: Midwives have a pivotal role in supporting excellence in care through research. However, in the UK, very few midwives lead research. It has been estimated that <0.1 % of clinical midwives are employed in clinical academic careers, where they pursue a joint role working clinically and conducting research, and only 12 % of midwives working in academia hold a PhD. BACKGROUND: Increasing midwifery-led research and building research capacity for midwives has long been on the UK national agenda. Due to their experience, midwives can address clinically important questions and research solutions to problems that they have observed in their practice. However, midwives face many barriers to commencing and sustaining a career where they engage in midwife-led research. AIM: This critical discussion paper aims to explore and understand the factors acting as barriers to UK midwives embarking on and maintaining a career leading research. DISCUSSION: This paper presents a critical discussion of the barriers for UK-based midwives to pursue research careers based on four main key points. The paper draws from UK-based reports and international contemporary literature. Four key barriers were identified from the literature: Lack of opportunities, awareness and knowledge of research among midwives; Lack of role models and mentorship; Lack of NHS and Approved Education Institution (AEI) organisational support; Lack of a clear pathway of progression. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Significant barriers exist for UK midwives to engage in midwife-led research, which must be addressed to enable midwife-led research capacity to be improved and establish a workforce of leading midwifery researchers. Key recommendations have been identified to improve the accessibility of conducting midwife-led research.

Source: Midwifery

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2025.104688

Authors: Hannah M Brennan, Christine Furber

Institutions: University of Manchester, University of Salford

Language: English

Topic: Health and Medical Research Impacts

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Gender equality, Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,630