#Red4Research blog: Emma Clark, Research Midwife, Saint Mary’s Hospital

#Red4Research brings together everyone participating in, supporting and undertaking research. To celebrate this year’s #Red4Research Day on Friday 20 September, Research Midwife, Emma Clark shares her career journey, from beginnings in a non-clinical setting, to training as a midwife and joining Research and Innovation at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Emma hopes to inspire others to get involved in research and shares how special it is to be part of studies that positively influence the care and experience that women and families receive.

My career journey

Back in October 2007, I began my career in research management and governance as a Research Ethics Committee (REC) Co-ordinator based in Southwest London. I found the range of projects reviewed by the committee fascinating, and I was amazed by the sheer scale of research that was ongoing in the NHS. Over the next five years I worked through a variety of research management and governance roles including Research Governance Support Officer, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator and Senior Research Network Co-ordinator.

Whilst working as Senior Research Network Co-ordinator, I began wanting to be more involved in the clinical aspects of the projects that I had been assisting the set-up and delivery of. My main interest was the Women’s Health projects I had supported, so I decided to pursue a career in midwifery and qualified in October 2015.

Throughout my training period I maintained my interest in research by participating in an internship with the Health Innovation Network and undertook my elective placement at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where I was able to see first-hand the conduct of projects I had been involved in setting up in my previous role.

After I became fully qualified, I initially worked as a rotational midwife during my preceptorship period in London, and then spent time on a postnatal ward within MFT at Saint Mary’s Hospital. Following this I became a community midwife in Blackpool, and then in 2019 I moved into academia working as a graduate tutor and lecturer for five years. During this time, I commenced studying for a part-time PhD which I am still in the process of completing (currently in my fourth year). My PhD was driven by my own experiences and focuses on the emotional wellbeing and retention of Newly Qualified Midwives – highlighting what strategies and interventions can be utilised to support their transition from student to practitioner.

Returning to MFT

In May 2024, I rejoined MFT as a Research Midwife at Saint Mary’s Hospital. I can draw from and expand on much of my previous experience while being able to provide both clinical care and support to the women and families I work with. The role enables you to be autonomous in your practice whilst working in a supportive team with the same passion for research.

People often assume working in research is all about data and statistics, however, being a Research Midwife is a varied job that encompasses a lot of different skills. This includes good communication as you need to be able to explain to participants concisely and clearly why the research is taking place and what it entails to ensure that informed consent is ethically given. Some studies will also involve approaching women and families that you have not met prior, therefore you need to be able to build a rapport and adapt your communication style to their needs. Organisation and attention to detail are also imperative to maintain the accuracy of all information collected during the research process.

Since returning to Manchester, I have had opportunities to be part of several research projects and clinics. Currently, I am working on various projects within the Fetal and Maternal Health Centre including the upcoming RESPIRE (Relating Environment-use Scenarios in Pregnancy/Infanthood and Resulting airborne material Exposures to child health outcomes) study, which aims to investigate the effect of air pollution exposure during pregnancy.

Being part of research on #Red4Research day

Since becoming a Research Midwife, I have been really surprised at how enthusiastic and eager participants have been when taking part in research projects. To anyone considering pursuing research, I would say that there are lots of different ways that you can get involved. It feels amazing to be part of projects that can provide positive future changes to the outcomes for women and babies, and I hope to be part of research that positively influences the care and experience that women and families receive.

To me, #Red4Research Day provides an opportunity to celebrate all the people involved in research including admin staff, scientists, researchers, clinical staff and most importantly our research participants who are helping to improve healthcare for hopefully themselves, but many others too.  

On #Red4Research Day, we are able showcase the hard work that goes on to develop innovative treatment and care pathways. I think it is important to raise awareness of the wide variety of research that is undertaken within the NHS and how we continue to strive and work towards improving outcomes for all our patients.