Dr Megan Cooper

Senior Lecturer

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

place Sturt East (W254)
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

I am a midwife, academic and clinical researcher. My current role includes both the provision of education in the Bachelor of Midwifery and the undertaking of clinical research at Lyell McEwin Hospital in the North of Adelaide.

My aspiration is to leave this world a better place than what I found it; this is the driving force behind everything that I have set out to do and everything that I aim to achieve in the future. However, I believe that a united voice is stronger than any single individual and through this philosophy, I work to ensure that I am one of many working towards these aspirations.

As a researcher with a keen interest in exploring the experiences of women and practitioners, I have built my research profile around listening to and promoting the philosophical principle of woman centred care whilst promoting clinical practice and policy. This with a focus on embracing the cultural diversity of women and their families as well as attention to individual needs and aspirations. It is also through these activities that I have shared my knowledge, understanding and insights and have contributed to the learning and development of key midwifery stakeholders.

Across my clinical, academic and research career, I have built lasting local, national and international relationships with midwifery leaders and stakeholders. As the outgoing National Midwifery Advisor for the ACM, I have forged strong collegial and professional relationships with key industry, research, clinical and political stakeholders all of which were pivotal in harnessing opportunities to advocate for and share the value of midwifery and midwives. In addition to this, I have developed strong international research collaborations both here in Australia and internationally. I am an associate member of the OXMATER Maternal and Childbirth Research Group at Oxford Brookes University UK.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Midwifery

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)

Graduate Diploma in Education Studies (Digital Learning)

Master of Business Administration (Health Services Management)

PhD

Master of Business Law (Candidate)

Honours, awards and grants

2023 South Australian Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award Finalist - Excellent in Research and Knowledge Translation

2023 Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery Aspiring Deans Programme

2022 Vice President and Executive Dean (VPED) Team Award - Placement Education Coordination

2022 Australian College of Midwives (ACM) Fellowship

2021 Fully funded to undertake Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA) Certification Course

2021 Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for high level of academic excellence in the Master of Business Administration during 2020

2021 Recipient of Flinders University Kickstarter Grant ($5000)

2019 Australian College of Midwives (ACM) Fiona Kemp Scholarship

2019 Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) Travel Grant Round 2

2019 Golden Key Honours Society – Graduate Diploma of Education Studies (Digital Learning)

2018 Best Poster Presentation Australian College of Midwives (ACM) 2018 National Conference

2017 Highly Achieved Abstract for “Best Oral Presentation” ACM 2017 National Conference

2017 Fully funded scholarship to undertake Graduate Diploma in Education Studies (Digital Learning) at the University of South Australia

2016 University of South Australia Student Nominated Excellent Educator Award – Simulation ($1000)

2013 Semi-finalist of the SA Young Investigator Award - Recognition of excellence in South Australia's young researchers in both science and their ability to communicate and sell that science

2011 Australian Postgraduate Award (APA Scholarship)

2009 Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation – University of South Australia

2008 Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Award - Most outstanding graduating student in the clinical field practice component of Bachelor of Midwifery

2008 Merit Award – University of South Australia

2007 Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation – University of South Australia

2006 Merit Award – University of South Australia

2008-2010 Nominated for Johnson’s Baby Midwife of the Year (5 times)

2009 Golden Key Honours Society – Bachelor of Midwifery

Teaching interests

Simulation

Inquiry-based learning

Scenario-based learning

Communication skills

Obstetric emergencies

Topic coordinator
MIDW1017 Introduction to Midwifery Practice
MIDW2014 Evidence for Midwifery Practice
MIDW1013 Maternal and Infant Assessment Skills
MIDW2013 Midwifery Skills
Topic lecturer
MIDW3011 Midwifery as Primary Health Care
Supervisory interests
Community nursing and midwifery
Education, midwifery
Ethical dimensions of nursing and midwifery practice
Midwifery
Midwifery history
Midwifery, education, models of care
Higher degree by research supervision
Current
Principal supervisor: Midwifery (1)
Completion
Associate supervisor: Midwifery (2)
Higher degree by research student achievements
Dr Danielle Pollock

PhD -

Dr Mitra Javanmard

PhD -

Expert for media contact
Midwifery
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