KATHERINE CONQUEST

Katherine Conquest is a Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at Edge Hill University, a Professional Midwifery Advocate, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and the institutional Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Lead. She has a sustained track record in infant feeding education, midwifery leadership, and simulation-based learning, with particular expertise in breastfeeding and supportive supervision. Katherine led the university through successful BFI accreditation in 2025 and now oversees the long-term sustainability and quality assurance work required for continued alignment with UNICEF UK BFI standards.

Her academic interests focus on the development of high-quality learning environments, the use of non-emergency simulation to strengthen student decision-making, and the role of midwifery education in advancing safe, equitable maternity care. Katherine also contributes to wider leadership and governance activities, including curriculum development, the decolonisation of midwifery education, PMA-aligned support models, and recruitment initiatives.

Alongside teaching across the midwifery curriculum, she leads Year 2 of the BSc Midwifery programme. Her current scholarship focuses on infant feeding, public health, safety culture, and the integration of digital learning tools and AI to support student confidence. 

• Infant feeding and breastfeeding education

• Human milk science

• Simulation-based learning and non-emergency scenarios

• Midwifery leadership and supervision models

• Maternal and infant public health

• Decolonising midwifery curricula

• Safety culture and student escalation behaviours

• Digital learning, assessment, and quality assurance

Katherine contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate midwifery education, with strong emphasis on evidence-based infant feeding, clinical decision-making, and professional integrity. Her recent teaching focus includes:

• Design of multi-layered simulation packages using AI for creative generation (e.g. triage, PPH, mental health, virtual wards).

• Leadership of Year 2 curriculum planning, assessment design, and academic writing support.

• Development of structured reflective embedded content linked to AEQUIP and PMA frameworks.

• Integration of digital learning approaches, including learning hubs and online revision tools.

Her work aligns with the NMC Future Midwife Standards, safety improvement priorities, and national policy drivers.