Miss Emilie Edwards


Miss Emilie Edwards
NameMiss Emilie Edwards
Job titleSenior Lecturer in Midwifery
Research institute
Primary appointmentAdult, Child & Midwifery
Email addresse.edwards@mdx.ac.uk
ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-9466-0889
Contact categoryAcademic staff

Biography

Biography

Emilie Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in Midwifery and SFHEA recognised nationally and internationally for her work in inclusive healthcare education and neurodiversity advocacy. With a background in neuroscience and clinical midwifery, Emilie brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her teaching, research, and leadership.

As an autistic healthcare professional and educator, Emilie is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent students and staff. Her lived experience informs a transformative approach to pedagogy, curriculum design, and institutional policy. She has led the development of national training resources, including the Royal College of Midwives’ (Neurodivergence Acceptance Toolkit now implemented across NHS trusts and higher education institutions.

Emilie’s work is characterised by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to equity. She co-led the Middlesex University Neurodiversity Celebration Festival, now an international event across campuses in London, Mauritius, and Dubai. 

Her research interests include inclusive pedagogy, neurodivergent student experience, and the intersection of identity and professional development in healthcare education. Emilie is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and has received multiple accolades for her contributions.

Emilie’s teaching philosophy is rooted in openness, transparency, and the belief that every learner’s potential deserves to be recognised and nurtured. She continues to develop accessible, engaging, and technologically enhanced learning materials that inspire students and foster academic and professional success.

Teaching

Module leader 

- BSc Midwifery Long course - MWY3800 

- BSc Midwifery short course - MWY2900

- Systematic Examination of the Newborn - MWY 3140/MWY4140

- Leadership for Public and Community Services - NSA 3100/NSA 4100

Supervision

Education and qualifications

Grants

Projects

  • Developing a belonging scale validated for autistic student midwives

Prizes and Awards

Research outputs

Ethical interviewing in action: a case study inspiring best practices for inclusivity in the neurodivergent community

Edwards, E. and Callwood, A. 2025. Ethical interviewing in action: a case study inspiring best practices for inclusivity in the neurodivergent community. ISE Student Recruitment Conference 2025. The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, UK 23 - 24 Jun 2025

Neurodiversity & midwifery: creating supportive learning/care environments

Porter, N. and Edwards, E. 2025. Neurodiversity & midwifery: creating supportive learning/care environments.

Neurodivergence acceptance - embedding cultural competence in midwifery education

Edwards, E. and Handley-Stone, R. 2025. Neurodivergence acceptance - embedding cultural competence in midwifery education. 23rd Nordic Midwifery Congress. Copenhagen 26 - 28 May 2025

Embracing inclusivity in student healthcare practice - educating and supporting staff

Edwards, E. and Major, R. 2025. Embracing inclusivity in student healthcare practice - educating and supporting staff. RCN Education Conference 2025. Glasgow, UK 30 Mar - 01 Apr 2025

Supporting the progress and attainment of neurodivergent students

Edwards, E. 2025. Supporting the progress and attainment of neurodivergent students. Chartered ABS Learning, Teaching & Student Experience Conference 2025. Nottingham, UK 19 - 20 May 2025

Supporting neurodivergent learners and staff

Major, R., Edwards, E., Eames, J., Porter, N., Harley, N. and Jackson, C. 2024. Supporting neurodivergent learners and staff. NHS Learning Hub.

The Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) role in supporting and advocating for neurodivergent colleagues

Edwards, E. 2024. The Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) role in supporting and advocating for neurodivergent colleagues . National Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) Conference 2024. Online 11 - 11 Oct 2024

Neurodivergence acceptance in midwifery education - Toolkit

Edwards, E., Handley-Stone, R., Richards, K. and Porter, N. 2024. Neurodivergence acceptance in midwifery education - Toolkit . Royal College of Midwives Annual Conference 2024. Liverpool, UK 08 - 09 May 2024

Supporting autistic midwifery students: fostering inclusion and empowerment

Edwards, E. 2023. Supporting autistic midwifery students: fostering inclusion and empowerment. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 33 (4), pp. 302-303.

How can we create accessible and inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students?

Edwards, E. 2023. How can we create accessible and inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students? TES Global.

Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education

Edwards, E. and Parsons, R. 2023. Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education. 7th EMA Education Conference - Midwifery Education in the Future . Athens, Greece 26 - 29 Oct 2023 pp. 114 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/172193

Using digital technology: educating midwives about neurodiversity

Edwards, E., Smith, M. and Bower, H. 2023. Using digital technology: educating midwives about neurodiversity. 7th EMA Education Conference - Midwifery Education in the Future . Athens, Greece 26 - 29 Oct 2023 pp. 12 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/171948

THE Awards spotlight: Most Innovative Teacher of the Year - lessons learned: what makes an effective university teacher?

Allsop, C., Buchanan, B., Chew, E., Edwards, E., Taylor, L. and Warren, R. 2023. THE Awards spotlight: Most Innovative Teacher of the Year - lessons learned: what makes an effective university teacher? THE Campus Live UK&IE 2023. Liverpool, UK 06 - 07 Dec 2023

Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education

Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education. Royal College of Midwives Student Midwives Conference 2023: Working together and learning together. Doncaster, UK 21 - 21 Nov 2023

Supporting neurodivergent midwives in the workplace

Edwards, E., Smith, M., Fischer-Jenkins, K., Williams, H., Brown, S., Powell, S. and Marsh, H. 2023. Supporting neurodivergent midwives in the workplace. CNO Conference 2023. Cardiff, UK 13 - 13 Oct 2023

Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education

Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education. Royal College of Midwives Student Midwives Conference 2023: Working together and learning together. Doncaster, UK 21 - 21 Nov 2023

Neurodiversity and education

Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodiversity and education. Royal College of Midwives Education and Research Conference 2023. Birmingham, UK 27 - 28 Mar 2023

Neurodiversity in the workplace

Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodiversity in the workplace. Royal College of Midwives.

Human rights in childbearing 3. Providing sensitive antenatal care for autistic women and birthing people

Rayner, S., Porter, N. and Edwards, E. 2022. Human rights in childbearing 3. Providing sensitive antenatal care for autistic women and birthing people. The Practising Midwife. 25 (10), pp. 14-17. https://doi.org/10.55975/BRWP4714

How can midwives and educators better understand, teach and support neurodivergent students?

Edwards, E., Rayner, S. and Porter, N. 2022. How can midwives and educators better understand, teach and support neurodivergent students? The Practising Midwife. 25 (8), pp. 32-34. https://doi.org/10.55975/WSQA8919
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