University of Suffolk in Ipswich midwifery lecturer Karen Henry shortlisted for award after work with autistic colleagues, students and mothers-to-be

A lecturer who has been shortlisted for a national award has described her joy at teaching the next generation of midwives.

Karen Henry, who has taught at the University of Suffolk in Ipswich since 2022, has been nominated for the Royal College of Midwives Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award.

This is in service to her dedication to working with autistic colleagues, students, and mothers-to-be.

Her work included training sessions, co-authoring a book and penning multiple articles.

She is due to attend an interview to talk about her career ahead of the award in October.

Karen, who in addition to teaching at the University of Suffolk, graduated from it in 2018.

She said it always felt like home and she loved working there.

She said: “Midwifery is a wonderful career which can take you down so many different and wonderful avenues.

“Teaching it is a joy because I get to share my enthusiasm and knowledge with the students who will take this into practice, and I get to share their journey with them.

“I never saw myself as a midwifery lecturer when I was a student but now, I can’t imagine anything else.”

Karen’s work has seen her offer support strategies to autistic and neurodivergent colleagues, students and women accessing maternity services.

For example, one of her ideas was to allow for extra time for antenatal appointments for autistic mothers-to-be.

They could also take place at quieter times of the day and to plan for visits to ward to help them become more familiar with them.

She also helped develop a toolkit for neurodivergent midwifery students alongside Royal College of Midwives.

The award will be handed to a winner at an awards ceremony in London on October 18.