Miss Emilie Edwards
| Name | Miss Emilie Edwards |
|---|---|
| Job title | Senior Lecturer in Midwifery |
| Research institute | |
| Primary appointment | Adult, Child & Midwifery |
| Email address | e.edwards@mdx.ac.uk |
| ORCID | https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9466-0889 |
| Contact category | Academic staff (past) |
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
Education and qualifications
Grants
Projects
- Developing a belonging scale validated for autistic student midwives
Prizes and Awards
Research outputs
Nurturing the future part 1: holistic wellbeing and student midwife retention
Coe, Z., Spence, L., Jniah, S. and Edwards, E. 2026. Nurturing the future part 1: holistic wellbeing and student midwife retention. The Student Midwife. 9 (1), pp. 14-17. https://doi.org/10.55975/pmqm8226The experiences of autistic healthcare students in a clinical learning environment: a scoping review
Edwards, E., Porter, N., Handley-Stone, R., Hingley-Jones, H. and Reynolds, G. 2026. The experiences of autistic healthcare students in a clinical learning environment: a scoping review. Autism. 30 (5), pp. 1206-1221. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613261427125Ethical interviewing in action: a case study inspiring best practices for inclusivity in the neurodivergent community [Presentation]
Callwood, A. and Edwards, E. 2025. Ethical interviewing in action: a case study inspiring best practices for inclusivity in the neurodivergent community [Presentation]. ISE Student Recruitment Conference 2025. The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, UK 23 - 24 Jun 2025Neurodiversity & 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 2025Embracing inclusivity in student healthcare practice - educating and supporting staff [Presentation]
Edwards, E. and Major, R. 2025. Embracing inclusivity in student healthcare practice - educating and supporting staff [Presentation]. RCN Education Conference 2025. Glasgow, UK 30 Mar - 01 Apr 2025Supporting 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 2025Supporting 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 [Conference item - Other]
Edwards, E. 2024. The Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) role in supporting and advocating for neurodivergent colleagues [Conference item - Other]. National Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) Conference 2024. Online 11 - 11 Oct 2024Neurodivergence 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 2024Supporting 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? [Website contribution]
Edwards, E. 2023. How can we create accessible and inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students? [Website contribution]. THE - Times Higher Education.Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education [Abstract]
Edwards, E. and Parsons, R. 2023. Using digital branching scenario technology in midwifery education [Abstract]. 7th EMA Education Conference - Midwifery Education in the Future . Athens, Greece 26 - 29 Oct 2023 pp. 114 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/172193Using digital technology: educating midwives about neurodiversity [Abstract]
Edwards, E., Smith, M. and Bower, H. 2023. Using digital technology: educating midwives about neurodiversity [Abstract]. 7th EMA Education Conference - Midwifery Education in the Future . Athens, Greece 26 - 29 Oct 2023 pp. 12 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/171948THE Awards spotlight: Most Innovative Teacher of the Year - lessons learned: what makes an effective university teacher? [Conference item - Other]
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? [Conference item - Other]. THE Campus Live UK&IE 2023. Liverpool, UK 06 - 07 Dec 2023Neurodivergence 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 2023Supporting 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 2023Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education [Presentation]
Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodivergence awareness in midwifery education [Presentation]. Royal College of Midwives Student Midwives Conference 2023: Working together and learning together. Doncaster, UK 21 - 21 Nov 2023Neurodiversity and education
Edwards, E. 2023. Neurodiversity and education. Royal College of Midwives Education and Research Conference 2023. Birmingham, UK 27 - 28 Mar 2023Neurodiversity 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/BRWP4714How 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/WSQA89195660
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