Dr Rachael Spencer DHSci MSc BSc PGCHE SFHEA RM RN SCPHN L/PE
Deputy Head of School and lead for Nursing and Midwifery Education
Summary
As Deputy Head of Department I support the student experience for undergraduate and postgraduate pre- and post-registration nursing and midwifery programmes. Supporting the Head of Department I am part of the leadership team, leading a complex portfolio and implementing the Department and College strategic plans.
About
As Deputy Head of Department I support the student experience for undergraduate and postgraduate pre- and post-registration nursing and midwifery programmes. Supporting the Head of Department I am part of the leadership team, leading a complex portfolio and implementing the Department and College strategic plans.
Teaching
School of Health and Social Care
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Courses taught
BSc (Hons) Midwifery
MSc Midwifery
Non medical prescribing
Modules taught
Evidence and Enquiry for Practice
The Advancing Professional
Creating Original Practice
Ï㽶ÊÓƵing for Practice
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
My research expertise is public health and midwifery, specialising in research exploring experiences of infant feeding and perinatal mental health. My work synthesises research, education and practice and predominately utilises a qualitative approach to inquiry. I have a particular interest in the role of healthcare professionals in supporting women and families in early parenthood and undertake pedagogical research that evaluates the impact of education on practice. I work collaboratively, with colleagues from different disciplines and sectors. My doctorate study explored women’s experiences of infant feeding and I have continued to focus my research activities predominately on breastfeeding experiences in the early postnatal period.
Breastfeeding experiences of women with perinatal mental health problems
Developing local authority research activity using an embedded researcher model
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Capacity Building in Nursing and Midwifery
Nursing and Allied Health Professional Digital Capability
Memon, Z., Reale, S., Ahmed, W., Spencer, R., Lashari, T., Bhutta, Z. and Soltani, H. (2022) ‘Effect of integrating Family Planning with Maternal, Newborn and Child Health services on uptake of voluntary modern contraceptive methods in rural Pakistan: Protocol for a Quasi-experimental study’. JMIR Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Protocols, 11(3):e35291. doi: 10.2196/35291.
Spencer, R.L., Stephenson, J. and Thomas, C. (2022) “One of those things the student is left to do”. Student midwives' clinical experience of infant feeding’. Nurse Education in Practice. .
Fair, F., Watson, H., Marvin-Dowle, K., Spencer, R. and Soltani, H. (2022) “Everything is revolved around me being heavy … it’s always, always spoken about.” Qualitative experiences of weight management during pregnancy in women with a BMI of 40kg/m² or above.’ PLOSOne.
Marvin-Dowle, K., Soltani, H. and Spencer, R. (2021) ‘Infant feeding in diverse families; the impact of ethnicity and migration on feeding practices’ Midwifery 103 (9) 103-124.
Spencer, R.L. and Fraser, D.M. (2018) “You’re kinda passing a test”. An interpretive phenomenological study of women’s experiences of breastfeeding.' British Journal of Midwifery, 26 (11) 724-730.
Akuamoah-Boateng, J. and Spencer, R. (2018) 'Woman-centred care: Women's experiences and perceptions of induction of labour for uncomplicated post-term pregnancy: A systematic review of qualitative evidence'. Midwifery, 67, 46-56.
Publications
Key Publications
Akuamoah-Boateng, J., & Spencer, R. (2018). . Midwifery, 67, 46-56.
Spencer, R., & Fraser, D.M. (2018). . British Journal of Midwifery, 26 (11), 724-730.
Spencer, R., & Yuill, O. (2018). . British Journal of Midwifery, 26 (5), 338-342.
Spencer, R., & Yuill, O. (2018). . MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 28 (1), 11-16.
Hinsliff-Smith, K., & Spencer, R. (2016). . Nurse Ï㽶ÊÓƵer, 23 (3), 13-17.
Spencer, R., Greatrex-White, S., & Fraser, D.M. (2015). . Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 71 (5), 1076-1086.
Spencer, R., Greatrex-White, S., & Fraser, D.M. (2014). . Evidence Based Midwifery, 12 (3), 83-88.
Hinsliff-Smith, K., Spencer, R., & Walsh, D. (2014). . Midwifery, 30 (1), 14-19.
Spencer, R., & Fraser, D. (n.d.). You feel like you’re being checked up on...you’re kinda passing a test’ : an interpretive phenomenological study of women’s experiences of breastfeeding. British Journal of Midwifery, 26 (10).
Journal articles
Billings, H., Horsman, J., Soltani, H., & Spencer, R. (2024). . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24 (1).
Memon, Z.A., Tahmeena, , Fazal, S.A., Reale, S., Spencer, R., Bhutta, Z., & Soltani, H. (2024). . BMC Women's Health, 24 (1).
Cadman, V., Soltani, H., Spencer, R., Marvin-Dowle, K., & Harrop, D. (2023). . Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care.
Memon, Z.A., Mian, A., Reale, S., Spencer, R., Bhutta, Z., & Soltani, H. (2023). . JMIR Formative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 7.
Spencer, R., Stephenson, J., & Thomas, C. (2022). . Nurse Education in Practice, 63.
Fair, F.J., Watson, H., Marvin-Dowle, K., Spencer, R., & Soltani, H. (2022). . PLOS ONE, 17 (6).
Memon, Z.A., Reale, S., Ahmed, W., Spencer, R., Lashari, T.H., Bhutta, Z., & Soltani, H. (2022). . JMIR Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Protocols, 11 (3), e35291.
Marvin-Dowle, K., Soltani, H., & Spencer, R. (2021). . Midwifery, 103124.
Spencer, R., Greatrex-White, S., & Fraser, D.M. (2014). 'I was meant to be able to do this': A phenomenological study of women's experiences of breastfeeding. Evidence Based Midwifery, 12 (3), 83-88.
Spencer, R.L., Greatrex-White, S., & Fraser, D.M. (2010). Practice improvement, breastfeeding duration and health visitors. Community practitioner : the journal of the Community Practitioners' & Health Visitors' Association, 83 (9), 19-22.
Higgins, G., Spencer, R.L., & Kane, R. (2010). A systematic review of the experiences and perceptions of the newly qualified nurse in the United Kingdom. Nurse education today, 30 (6), 499-508.
Spencer, R.L. (2008). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ methodologies to investigate the experience of breastfeeding: a discussion paper. International journal of nursing studies, 45 (12), 1823-1830.
Linsley, P., Kane, R., McKinnon, J., Spencer, R., & Simpson, T. (2008). Preparing for the future: nurse education and workforce development. Quality in primary care, 16 (3), 171-176.
Spencer, R. (2007). Ontological perspectives of breastfeeding. British Journal of Midwifery, 15 (12), 779-783.
Spencer, R.L. (2006). Nurses', midwives' and health visitors' perceptions of the impact of higher education on professional practice. Nurse education today, 26 (1), 45-53.
Conference papers
Spencer, R., Thomas, C., & Stephenson, J. (2019). . In 30th International Networking for Healthcare Education Conference, Keele, UK, 3 September 2019 - 5 September 2019.
Spencer, R. (2017). . In Christmas TeachFest, 2017. iated:
Spencer, R., Leekhuan, P., & Higginbottom, G. (2017). . In World Congress on Nursing & Nurse Education, Rome, Italy, 7 September 2017 - 9 September 2017.
Spencer, R. (2015). Breastfeeding and the obese mother. In British Journal of Midwifery: Obesity Conference, 15 July 2015 - 16 July 2015.
Spencer, R., Greatrex-White, S., & Fraser, D. (2013). Keeping up Appearances: Women’s experiences of infant feeding. In Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perspectives, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, 10 June 2013 - 12 June 2013.
Spencer, R., Greatrex-White, S., & Fraser, D. (2010). Health Visitors and the potential impact of practice improvement strategies to improve breastfeeding duration. In CPHVA Annual Conference, Harrogate, 20 October 2010 - 22 October 2010.
Spencer, R., Greatrex-White, S., & Fraser, D. (2009). An exploration of the breastfeeding experiences of women in one East Midlands city. In RCN International Nursing Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Conference, 24 March 2009 - 27 March 2009.
Spencer, R., & Greatrex-White, S. (2008). Methodologies for Ï㽶ÊÓƵing Women’s Experiences of Breastfeeding. In 7th Annual Qualitative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Conference, Bournemouth, 8 September 2008 - 10 September 2008.
Spencer, R., & Reilly, R. (2007). Designing and delivering a public health focused pre registration adult nursing degree programme: a nurse for the 21st century? In Nurse Education Today, Cambridge, 4 September 2007 - 6 September 2007.
Other activities
- Quality Assurance Registrant Visitor for Mott MacDonald on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Member of LME/NMC strategic reference group
- Member of LME national executive group
- Currently external examiner for BSc (Hons) Midwifery Programme, Professional Midwifery Advocate (Level 7 short course) and
- Newborn Physical Examination (Level 7 short course), University of Worcester
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Member of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM)
- Member of the National Association of Educators in Practice (NAEP)
- Member of the Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology (SRIP)
- Member of the Jessop Wing Academic Board