Dr Christine Furber
School of Health & Society
Current positions
Senior Lecturer
Biography
Dr Christine Furber is an experienced midwifery educator and researcher. Christine joined the University of Salford in late 2023. Christine currently teaches on the MSc Midwifery for Adult Nurses and BSc / MSc midwifery programmes. Christine supervises research students studying for master’s degree and PhD. She is expert in qualitative research methods (grounded theory, phenomenology. ethnography, and framework analysis data analysis) and has supervised several MClinRes and doctoral students to completion. Christine is an experienced PhD examiner.
Christine’s main subject areas are in midwifery, public health and research. She welcomes enquiries about PhD supervision related to midwifery topics, especially utilising qualitative methods.
Christine has published extensively in journals (professional and peer reviewed) and completed book chapters. She has also disseminated her work at international and national conferences. Her publications include research in midwifery topics as well as pedagogy and education.
Christine is currently:
Steering group member of the James Lind Alliance Priorities in midwifery research group.
Co-supervisor and lead for data analysis of student data of national evaluation of the Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement
Joint principal investigator on evaluation of the LEAP award for healthcare practitioners in Greater Manchester – mixed methods study.
Joint principal investigator exploring BMI in postnatal women to develop preconception care for this population.
Christine has a track record of successful leadership in midwifery education having led on design and implementation of several highly successful and subsequently well evaluated pre-qualifying midwifery programmes at The University of Manchester. Christine has held Lead Midwife of Education and Programme Director roles. Christine was one of the founding members of the Greater Manchester Midwifery Education group and was Vice Chair from 2017 – 2023. Christine led on several initiatives developing midwifery education in practice including establishing coaching methods in midwifery and developed successful strategies to enhance the learner experience in practice.
Christine is also experienced in teaching overseas and supporting international students. She has developed programmes in public health in Singapore and taught research methods to researchers in Pakistan and several African countries.
Christine is an innovative educator and has led on many initiatives in delivering learning including pioneering online / blended learning (prior to 2020) and interprofessional education. She is expert in co-creation methods and has successfully designed and co- produced programmes using innovative strategies to support collaboration and partnership working.
Christine is passionate about midwifery and supporting women, birthing people and families though education. She has mentored many midwives to support their development through higher education and achievement of fellowships and awards. Christine is an experienced and inspirational team leader having led several successful midwifery education teams.
Christine has also extensive experience in working with communities that are not well represented in midwifery. To support improving diversity in midwifery, she co-wrote an innovative book to promote midwifery as a career that is now used nationwide in schools. The book can be accessed here: display.aspx (manchester.ac.uk)
Areas of Research
Public Health
Maternal Mental Health
Midwifery
Midwifery Education
Maternity workforce
Areas of Supervision
Midwifery related topics
Maternal mental health
Public health
Midwifery
Public health
Research methods- qualitative
Education
Evidence- based practice
Qualifications
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PhD
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MSc Public Health and Health Promotion
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BSc Social Science
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Certificate in Education (FE)
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Registered Adult Nurse
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Registered Midwife
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Advanced Diploma in Midwifery
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Midwives Teaching Diploma