Ruth Sanders

Since qualifying as a midwife in 2014, I have worked in all areas of midwifery practice before joining the academic midwifery community. With an educational background including drama, arts and humanities and cultural and media studies, I aim is to provide innovative learning experiences for midwifery students through reflective, creative and collaborative methods.

I am an invited collaborator and member of the Editorial Board for Midwives magazine for the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), a passionate Ambassador and Advisory Panel member for Cavell (Nurses Trust), and enjoy contributing to various midwifery journals. I remain involved in Maternity Voices Partnership working with local partner trusts. Much of my recent work has focused on Advanced Clinical Practiec in Midwifery development and midwifery research 

Arts and humanities in midwifery practice, Advanced Clinical Practice in Midwifery development; Midwifery research; Social Science in midwifery practice; pain management in labour, innovation in midwifery education

Having experience of curriculum development, I teach on the undergraduate midwifery programme and post registration programmes. I am currently the Professional Practice lead for the third year undergraduate programme and Module Organiser for Research for Innovation. I am theme lead for communication, social science and research for the midwifery team and curriculum work and development. My teaching interests include research methods, creative and arts-based practice, decision-making in midwifery practice, pain management, social science in midwifery practice, childbirth in the media and emergency midwifery management. 

2026 (expected) Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care

2018 Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practices, University of East Anglia

2018 Midwifery Mentorship Preparation Programme, University of East Anglia

2014  BSc Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia (Starred 1st Class Hons)

2007  MA Digital Practices (AHRC funded), Norwich University College of the Arts (Distinction) 

2005  BA Hons Creative & Cultural Studies, University College of the Arts (1st Class Hons, Course Prize) 

2000 London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) Drama Diploma, Foundation Course 

Career

10/2017 – Present         School of Health Sciences, UEA Lecturer in Midwifery

2021 – present                Kings College London

Visiting lecturer delivery teaching sessions across the midwifery curriculum at Kings College London

07/2018 – 11/2020.         Teaching Fellow, Kings College London 

Deputy lead for Research Methods and Social Science modules, as well as teaching across the midwifery curriculum specialising in Arts & Humanities and Emergencies in Midwifery Practice modules and in a supervisory role for Student Projects. I linked with the Chelsea and Westminster trust and assisted students on their interprofessional education (IPE) full simulation training. 

11/2014 - 06/2018 Midwife, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust 

Band 6 midwife working within a dynamic obstetric unit, rotating through delivery suite, community, midwifery-led birthing unit, postnatal and antenatal wards.

11/2014 - 05/2018 Associate Tutor, University of East Anglia, Midwifery Department 

2009 - 2011 Career Break

2006 - 2008  Associate Tutor Norwich University College of the Arts, Critical Studies Department, Course 'The Forms and Functions of Myth and Fairytale'. Dissertation supervisor for Undergraduate programmes. 

2006 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Norwich University College of the Arts. Various courses including Critical Studies, Fine Art, Creative Writing & Visual Studies