Global Midwifery Mentorship

Dr. Elaine Jefford is a midwifery academic, researcher, author, and Editor in Chief for the International Journal of Childbirth. She works at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Her research focuses on midwifery decision-making and abdicating professional accountability, encompassing mentorship, leadership, education, and practice cultural environment. The relationship of these factors can impact risk, safety, and quality of care provision. Her research has led to strong collaborations in national and international research, service development work, and practitioner training initiatives. Other research interests include birth trauma, perinatal mental well-being, deteriorating woman, childbirth for incarcerated women, and self-compassion. She is Chair of the Trans-Tasman Midwifery Education Consortium and has been involved in national and international midwifery curriculum development and was a member of the Midwifery Accreditation Committee, which is part of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.

Dr. Lyn Ebert is a registered nurse and midwife, a women’s health and midwifery education researcher, and Associate Professor – Midwifery with Southern Cross University (SCU). Lyn is the Midwifery Work Integrated Learning Academic Coordinator (WILAC) for SCU. The WILAC role entails managing and administering the work integrated learning (WIL) or Midwifery Professional Experience (MPE) of a Course and ensures academic, clinical, and strategic oversight and coordination of the WIL for the course. Lyn is committed to supporting the development of innovative health education strategies and curriculum teaching and learning methods that support student learning, childbearing women’s safety, and improved midwifery workforce culture.